A massive NGO fraud has come to light in Kerala, masterminded by 26-year-old Ananthu Krishna, who promised scooters, laptops, and home appliances at half price. The scam, estimated at ₹400-500 crore, ensnared over 30,000 victims, including individuals, NGOs, and even political leaders.

Krishna's National NGO Confederation, floated in 2022, brought together 170 local NGOs under the guise of utilizing corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds to subsidize the cost of products. Victims were required to pay half the market price and a ₹500 registration fee. To build trust, some early applicants received products at the promised prices, creating the illusion of legitimacy.

The confederation organized flashy distribution events attended by politicians and celebrities, further boosting its credibility. Krishna also used photos with prominent figures to gain public confidence. However, as complaints mounted about undelivered products, police investigations uncovered that there were no CSR funds; the initial deliveries were funded entirely by pooling money from other applicants.

Krishna controlled over two dozen bank accounts, where he deposited the collected funds. Police estimate the loss reported so far at ₹60 crore, with thousands of complaints still under investigation. Prominent individuals, including a retired High Court judge and an NGO executive director, have also been implicated in the case.

IUML legislator Najeeb Kanthapuram is among those facing police cases after ₹1.8 crore was collected through his foundation for undelivered laptops. Speaking to reporters, Kanthapuram claimed to be a victim, stating, “I trusted the confederation after seeing its high-profile events. If the money can't be recovered, I’ll repay the applicants myself.”

Krishna, who hailed from a modest background, leveraged his persuasive skills and connections to orchestrate the scam. Despite lavish purchases and flashy appearances, his fraudulent empire collapsed under the weight of growing complaints, leading to his arrest last week.