IRIDIUM METAL OR RICE PULLING SCAM IN INDIA

AUTHOR – AKSHAYA R, STUDENT AT THE TAMILNADU DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSITY

BEST CITATION – AKSHAYA R, IRIDIUM METAL OR RICE PULLING SCAM IN INDIA, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (6) OF 2025, PG. 410-419, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344

ABSTRACT:

The Rice Pulling or Iridium Metal Scam is one of the most widespread and strange money scams in India. It takes advantage of people’s lack of knowledge about science, superstitions, and the dream of becoming rich overnight. In this scam, criminals say that some old copper or bronze items, like coins or bowls said to contain iridium a rare and very valuable metal can pull rice grains or have special electromagnetic properties. These items are sold as having been used in satellite technology or nuclear research, typically cheating rich people and businessmen into investing large amounts of money with the promise of huge returns. Victims are typically forced to keep this a secret, telling them it is top secret government or international space research.

Despite numerous police actions, the scam has persisted for decades because it can be easily modified, people lack sufficient knowledge, and there are well-organized groups behind them. This paper examines how the scam operates, how the scammers deceive people, significant cases that have been reported in India, and the legal and social issues in preventing this type of fraud. It emphasizes the need for greater public awareness, scientific understanding, and improved laws to save people from bogus science and money scams.