Duped People in Delhi, Himachal & Across India in the Name of Company Registration, Trademark & NGO Setup – Office Sealed, Victims i...
Duped People in Delhi, Himachal & Across India in the Name of Company Registration, Trademark & NGO Setup – Office Sealed, Victims in Tears, Massive Legal Action Likely
Noida/New Delhi/Shimla, March 12, 2026: A major financial scam has come to light involving U PH ApkaTax Private Limited (popularly known as APKATAX.in), with its Director and CEO Manas Bhardwaj and associates accused of cheating hundreds of people out of crores of rupees. The company, which promised quick and reliable services for company incorporation, LLP registration, trademark filing, NGO/Trust registration, GST, licenses, and other legal compliances, suddenly shut down its operations. The Noida Sector 63 office is now locked, phones are switched off, emails go unanswered, and the director has reportedly gone absconding, leaving thousands of clients, including many from Himachal Pradesh and Delhi-NCR, in financial distress.
APKATAX.in marketed itself aggressively as “India’s Best Registration, License & Compliance Platform,” claiming to have served over 1 lakh businesses. Its website and social media showcased success stories and promised fast, affordable services. However, hundreds of victims allege it was a well-planned fraud. People paid anywhere from ₹15,000 to ₹1 lakh+ for services like company formation, NGO setup, trademark applications, and GST registration. In many cases, partial work was done initially to build trust, but after collecting large sums, the company stopped responding entirely.
Complaints pouring in on platforms like Trustpilot and Justdial describe the company as a “100% fraud,” “bloody scammers,” and “total cheat.” Victims report:
- Payments made in June–December 2025, with no delivery or updates since.
- Fake approval letters and forged documents in some instances.
- Employees themselves complaining of withheld salaries, toxic work culture, and pressure to mislead clients.
- Himachal Pradesh entrepreneurs especially targeted for NGO/Trust registrations, losing ₹20,000–₹50,000 each.
- Delhi-NCR clients hit hardest with company and trademark packages worth lakhs.
The total amount allegedly siphoned off is now estimated in crores. The company’s LinkedIn and other profiles show Manas Bhardwaj as the founder/CEO since 2021, but all traces of activity have vanished in recent months. Reviews mention “fraud office,” “no salary,” and direct accusations against management for teaching fraudulent tactics.
Severe Legal Consequences Expected This case falls squarely under IPC Section 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), Section 406 (criminal breach of trust), Section 120B (criminal conspiracy), and possibly Section 467/468 (forgery) if fake documents are proven. For fraud involving crores, convicts face up to 7 years rigorous imprisonment plus hefty fines. Under the Companies Act 2013, directors can face disqualification for life, personal liability for debts, and asset seizure. If money laundering or cyber fraud angles emerge (as some victims plan to file cyber complaints), penalties under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) could apply, leading to even stricter punishment and asset freezing.
Victims are urged to immediately:
- File an FIR at the nearest police station (cyber cell if online payments were involved).
- Lodge complaints with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal.
- Approach consumer forums or approach economic offences wing.
- Preserve all payment proofs, WhatsApp chats, emails, and receipts.
This scam once again highlights the risks of trusting unverified online service providers. Always verify MCA registration, check real client reviews, and avoid large upfront payments without milestones. Investigative channels and police are reportedly probing deeper, with more explosive details expected soon. Victims are encouraged to come forward collectively to ensure swift justice and prevent others from falling prey.
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