Darbhanga: A large-scale fraud involving more than 500 women has come to light in Bihar’s Darbhanga district, where a company operating under the name Asmita Micro Finance allegedly absconded after collecting approximately Rs 20000000 in just eight days.
The incident took place in the Biraul block, where the company opened an office on March 18 at Supaul Bazaar and began promoting a scheme offering loans of Rs 200000 to women in exchange for an upfront deposit of Rs 5000.
According to victims, the company assured them that the loan amount would be credited to their bank accounts by March 26. However, when the promised date passed without any transfer, women who arrived at the office found it locked, triggering anger and protests.
Several victims, including residents from different parts of the district, said they had been persuaded by company representatives who actively visited villages until late on March 25, collecting deposits and building trust.
One of the accused organisers has been identified as Rahul Singh, who allegedly set up the office and advertised the scheme. Women from areas such as Gaudabauram, Baheri, Kusheshwarsthan and Alinagar said they were drawn in by the promise of easy loans.
Police officials confirmed that the office has been shut and the operator is currently untraceable. Chandramani, the station officer at Biraul, said victims have been asked to file formal complaints. “Once applications are received, the matter will be investigated and legal action will follow,” he said.
Tensions escalated after the discovery, with angry women reportedly detaining the landlord, Rajiv Kumar, whose premises were used for the office. Police later intervened and brought the situation under control.
The case has raised serious questions about oversight, particularly as the office was located less than a kilometre from the local police station, yet authorities remained unaware of the operation.
Residents say such fraudulent schemes often rely on fake documentation, temporary offices and aggressive outreach to quickly build credibility before disappearing. Rural women, many of whom invest their savings, are often the most affected.
Victims expressed anguish over losing their hard-earned money, saying they had deposited their savings in the hope of securing financial support. They have demanded strict action against those responsible and called on authorities to ensure such incidents are not repeated.
The incident has sparked widespread concern in the region, with attention now focused on the police investigation and efforts to trace those behind the alleged scam.
