ALearn India - Intensively Coercive tactics & Fraud

arlene

New member
Institute Name
ALearn India
Customer Care Number
07760169191
Loss Amount
2400
Ratings
1.00 star(s)
Opposite Party Address
SHIVU LAYOUT 23, 1st Main Road, 2nd Cross, Jnanabharati BDA Layout, Mariyapanna Palya, Jnana Ganga Nagar, Bengaluru 560056.
ALearn India’s representative, Alia (who also spells her name as Aalia), contacted me on 10/09/2025 after I submitted a requirement for German classes via UrbanPro. After speaking with her, we set a demo class with their teacher Bhumika for 11/09/2025 from 17-17:30 hrs, which I attended. After the demo class, in less that 15 mins (at 17:43 hrs), Alia called me and started pressurising me to tell her my decision about whether or not I would join the class. She tried calling me again at 18:34 and then called again at 19:16 hrs where she was again forcing me to make a decision, saying that the slots available will go and that she cannot guarantee that I will get any of I don’t make a decision. In the call at 19:16 hrs I told her that I cannot and will not make a decision so soon and I will sleep over it before I decide.

The next morning (12/09/2025) she had a couple of interactions with me again and by around 12:54 hrs I told her I would do the classes as I liked the demo given by German trainer Bhumika. I was also clear about wanting to do no more than 3 x 1 hour classes per week (with extra hours towards the end if needed) and finishing the purchased classes by October end — as I had to potentially give my German Exam end of October or by mid-November (the exact dates for the exam were unknown at the time of me enrolling with ALearn). After this discussion, Alia said I should take a package for 30 hours (with full upfront payment since I was being offered a “discounted price”) which we further discussed and decided on 25 hrs given weekly caps and limited time before my German exam. I was charged Rs. 400 per class which amounted to Rs. 10,000 for 25 classes. After payment, I sent her 2-3 reminders to send me invoice acknowledgement via email and she only sent this to me on 30/09/2025.

I started class on 15/09/2025 and was a regular student. On 08/10/2025 I fell very sick with high fever, body ache and nausea and I wrote to Alearn/Alia and trainer Bhumika about it at 08:39 hrs informing them that I would not be able to attend class that evening (08/10/2024) and the next (09/10/2025) as the doctor advised me complete bed rest because of my illness. It was also around the same time that I learned that I am pregnant. ALearn/Alia and the trainer Bhumika were all always kept in the know of all of this.

On 10/10/2025 I was diagnosed with Dengue and I informed ALearn/Alia and the trainer about the same. During this time, my platelets dropped to an almost fatel level and I had to be emergency admitted into hospital for intensive treatment. All this while, I was both, trying to ensure that I was doing everything to keep myself out of danger and to save my pregnancy.

After I was discharged from hospital and was on my way to recovery, I wrote to ALearn/Alia and my trainer again on 23/10/2025 to inform them that I was out of hospital and on my way to recovery and that I would like to restart my classes the following week. I restarted classes on Mon, 27/10/2025 and was regularly attending classes till 12/11/2025. In the last week, to make up for some of the time lost during my illness, I requested for extra hours of class that week, ending on a total completed 19 hours of classes.

On 06/11/2025 I sent Alia a text message and on 17/11/2025 (after my exam) I sent her an email requesting to speak with her about a refund of my remaining classes. She replied to my email yesterday, 25/11/2025 (after a reminder email on 24/11/2025 about the original email) saying there will be no refunds under any circumstances and that I have acknowledged their policy.

1) ALearn/Alia NEVER at any time before payment (and even uptick 06/11/2025) even mentioned, forget about telling me, about their refund policy or that there would be no refunds under any circumstances.

I did not acknowledge their policy as I was not even aware of it!

The first time there has been any mention of anything related to student, instructor policy was when they sent me the payment acknowledgement on 30/09/2025. When I was being solicited to join classes with ALearn, everything was being sold as professional and flexible.

2) Yesterday, 25/11/2025, was also the first time ALearn mentioned that I need to use the remaining classes within 2 months! The institute seems to be making up policies and rules adhoc on the fly!!!!

ALearn seems to be trying to again coerce me into doing the classes under duress and a limited time — a tactic that has been consistent since they time they were soliciting me for business.

3) I have recently been made aware that ALearn does this with many of their students and that their coercive tactics are often used to pressurise students and defraud them of fees they have paid. The only thing that dissuades them is a promise of doing another additional course with them or the threat of a poor review. Their Google reviews are mostly good because when they settle with a student, they do it in exchange for not putting a bad review.

Honourable Appellate of the Court, I would humbly request you to take cognisance of this fraudulent business where coercion and money making are both the modus operandi and business model of this institute. Many an unaware student has been victim to their tactics and I want to bring this to your notice so that they can be investigated and pulled up for these unfair and intimidating practices.

They do not have any humanity or consideration for me, a pregnant student who was dangerously sick and hospitalised and whose illness they were informed at very step. I can’t even imagine how they must be defrauding other students who fall prey to their tactics.

I would be very grateful if the honourable Consumer Court would take action against ALearn India and provide justice to all past intimidated and defrauded students (including me) and prospective future ones.

Thank you in advance.

Sincerely,
Arlene Chang


IMG_8840.jpegIMG_8841.jpegIMG_8842.jpegIMG_8843.jpegIMG_8844.jpegIMG_8845.jpeg
 
ALearn India’s representative, Alia (who also spells her name as Aalia), contacted me on 10/09/2025 after I submitted a requirement for German classes via UrbanPro. After speaking with her, we set a demo class with their teacher Bhumika for 11/09/2025 from 17-17:30 hrs, which I attended. After the demo class, in less that 15 mins (at 17:43 hrs), Alia called me and started pressurising me to tell her my decision about whether or not I would join the class. She tried calling me again at 18:34 and then called again at 19:16 hrs where she was again forcing me to make a decision, saying that the slots available will go and that she cannot guarantee that I will get any of I don’t make a decision. In the call at 19:16 hrs I told her that I cannot and will not make a decision so soon and I will sleep over it before I decide.

The next morning (12/09/2025) she had a couple of interactions with me again and by around 12:54 hrs I told her I would do the classes as I liked the demo given by German trainer Bhumika. I was also clear about wanting to do no more than 3 x 1 hour classes per week (with extra hours towards the end if needed) and finishing the purchased classes by October end — as I had to potentially give my German Exam end of October or by mid-November (the exact dates for the exam were unknown at the time of me enrolling with ALearn). After this discussion, Alia said I should take a package for 30 hours (with full upfront payment since I was being offered a “discounted price”) which we further discussed and decided on 25 hrs given weekly caps and limited time before my German exam. I was charged Rs. 400 per class which amounted to Rs. 10,000 for 25 classes. After payment, I sent her 2-3 reminders to send me invoice acknowledgement via email and she only sent this to me on 30/09/2025.

I started class on 15/09/2025 and was a regular student. On 08/10/2025 I fell very sick with high fever, body ache and nausea and I wrote to Alearn/Alia and trainer Bhumika about it at 08:39 hrs informing them that I would not be able to attend class that evening (08/10/2024) and the next (09/10/2025) as the doctor advised me complete bed rest because of my illness. It was also around the same time that I learned that I am pregnant. ALearn/Alia and the trainer Bhumika were all always kept in the know of all of this.

On 10/10/2025 I was diagnosed with Dengue and I informed ALearn/Alia and the trainer about the same. During this time, my platelets dropped to an almost fatel level and I had to be emergency admitted into hospital for intensive treatment. All this while, I was both, trying to ensure that I was doing everything to keep myself out of danger and to save my pregnancy.

After I was discharged from hospital and was on my way to recovery, I wrote to ALearn/Alia and my trainer again on 23/10/2025 to inform them that I was out of hospital and on my way to recovery and that I would like to restart my classes the following week. I restarted classes on Mon, 27/10/2025 and was regularly attending classes till 12/11/2025. In the last week, to make up for some of the time lost during my illness, I requested for extra hours of class that week, ending on a total completed 19 hours of classes.

On 06/11/2025 I sent Alia a text message and on 17/11/2025 (after my exam) I sent her an email requesting to speak with her about a refund of my remaining classes. She replied to my email yesterday, 25/11/2025 (after a reminder email on 24/11/2025 about the original email) saying there will be no refunds under any circumstances and that I have acknowledged their policy.

1) ALearn/Alia NEVER at any time before payment (and even uptick 06/11/2025) even mentioned, forget about telling me, about their refund policy or that there would be no refunds under any circumstances.

I did not acknowledge their policy as I was not even aware of it!

The first time there has been any mention of anything related to student, instructor policy was when they sent me the payment acknowledgement on 30/09/2025. When I was being solicited to join classes with ALearn, everything was being sold as professional and flexible.

2) Yesterday, 25/11/2025, was also the first time ALearn mentioned that I need to use the remaining classes within 2 months! The institute seems to be making up policies and rules adhoc on the fly!!!!

ALearn seems to be trying to again coerce me into doing the classes under duress and a limited time — a tactic that has been consistent since they time they were soliciting me for business.

3) I have recently been made aware that ALearn does this with many of their students and that their coercive tactics are often used to pressurise students and defraud them of fees they have paid. The only thing that dissuades them is a promise of doing another additional course with them or the threat of a poor review. Their Google reviews are mostly good because when they settle with a student, they do it in exchange for not putting a bad review.

Honourable Appellate of the Court, I would humbly request you to take cognisance of this fraudulent business where coercion and money making are both the modus operandi and business model of this institute. Many an unaware student has been victim to their tactics and I want to bring this to your notice so that they can be investigated and pulled up for these unfair and intimidating practices.

They do not have any humanity or consideration for me, a pregnant student who was dangerously sick and hospitalised and whose illness they were informed at very step. I can’t even imagine how they must be defrauding other students who fall prey to their tactics.

I would be very grateful if the honourable Consumer Court would take action against ALearn India and provide justice to all past intimidated and defrauded students (including me) and prospective future ones.

Thank you in advance.

Sincerely,
Arlene Chang


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WRITTEN STATEMENT / REPLY ON BEHALF OF ALEARN INDIA
Respected Hon’ble Authority,
We, ALearn India, respectfully submit our response to the complaint filed by the student and deny the allegations as false, misleading, and unsupported by facts. There is no deficiency in service or unfair trade practice as defined under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
1. Voluntary Enrollment & Consent
The complainant attended a demo class, expressed satisfaction with the trainer, and voluntarily agreed to enroll in the course after mutual discussion regarding the number of sessions, schedule, and fees. Payment was made only after the demo and with the complainant’s free consent.
There was no force, pressure, or coercion at any stage. Follow-up communication was limited to confirming availability and enrollment timelines, which is a standard and lawful business practice.
2. Mode of Communication (Clarification)
informed the institute that she did not have access to or was not using WhatsApp at the relevant time. Accordingly, all communications were carried out through text messages (SMS), phone calls, and email.
The institute maintains SMS records, call logs, emails, payment confirmations, and attendance details, all of which demonstrate transparent communication, voluntary consent, and absence of coercion.
3. Course Delivery, Attendance & Completion
The course comprised 25 sessions in total.
The complainant attended 19 sessions up to mid-November 2025. Subsequently, despite filing the complaint on 26 November 2025, the complainant returned in December 2025 and completed the remaining 6 sessions between 18 December 2025 and 24 December 2025, thereby completing all 25 sessions.
The complainant’s continued participation and completion of the course—even after filing the complaint—clearly establish that services were delivered in full and accepted without protest.
4. Medical Break & Support Extended
Upon being informed of the complainant’s illness and hospitalization, the institute acted in good faith by allowing a pause in classes and facilitating a later resumption. No classes were unfairly denied or cancelled. This accommodation was extended as a humanitarian gesture, despite no contractual obligation to do so.
5. Policy Communication & Acceptance
Institute policies, including attendance norms, backup provisions, and the non-refund policy, were communicated via email. The complainant continued attending and completing multiple sessions after receiving these policies, which constitutes implied acceptance under settled principles of contract and consumer law.
6. Refund Claim
The request for refund was raised only after:
Availing the majority of the sessions,
Appearing for the examination, and
Completing the course in full.
As per the written policy, course fees are non-refundable. Professional skill-based training involves pre-allocation of trainer time and institutional resources, which cannot be reversed after consumption of services.
7. Allegations of Fraud & Coercion
Allegations of fraud, coercion, and unethical conduct are categorically denied. The institute possesses SMS communications, call records, emails, attendance logs, and recordings, which clearly establish:
Negotiation and voluntary enrollment,
No threats or undue pressure,
Continued participation and completion of services.
General allegations, assumptions, or third-party opinions do not constitute proof of unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

From
Team Alearn India
 
WRITTEN SUBMISSION BY ALEARN INDIA
(Clarification & Statement of Facts)

1. About the Institution
Name: ALEARN INDIA
Nature: Online Language Training & Educational Services
Authorized Representative: Ms. Alia (Marketing & HR)
Trainer: Ms. Bhumika


2. About the Student
Student Name: Ms. Arlene
Program Enrolled: German B1 – Customized Individual Online Classes
Total Sessions: 25 (1 hour each)

3. Background & Sequence of Events
The student was contacted by ALEARN INDIA’s marketing team to explain the German B1 program. Demo class timings were mutually discussed and confirmed through phone calls and messages.
The student attended the demo session, negotiated the course fee, confirmed her willingness to proceed, and made the payment. All confirmations and negotiations are supported by call logs, call recordings, and message screenshots.
Classes commenced in September 2025 and were conducted by the assigned trainer, Ms. Bhumika. Due to the student’s personal schedule, including exams and breaks, multiple rescheduling requests were made by the student, which were accommodated by the institute.
The course was originally expected to conclude by early November 2025 but was extended solely to accommodate the student’s availability. By mid-November, approximately 18–19 sessions had already been completed.


4. Communication Regarding Remaining Sessions
In early November, the student communicated that she would review how to utilize the remaining sessions. Subsequently, she requested a refund for unused sessions.
This request was made after a substantial portion of the program had already been completed.”
Services were fully delivered and accepted
The student completed the enrolled program
Refund is not applicable under the agreed terms
The grievance may be closed accordingly
The institute clarified that the refund policy had already been communicated through official email in September 2025 and that refunds are not applicable. The student stated that she had not read the email; however, she continued attending classes for several weeks after the said email was sent.
Despite this, the institute consistently requested the student to complete the remaining sessions and did not deny access to the program.


5. Completion of Program
Although a grievance was raised by the student on 26 November 2025, the student again approached the institute in December 2025 requesting the remaining sessions.
In good faith, ALEARN INDIA conducted all remaining sessions without interruption. The student has now completed the entire program, and completion records are available.


6. Clarification on Refund Request
The refund request is not applicable for the following reasons:
* The program was customized and trainer time was blocked in advance
* The student voluntarily accepted the terms and continued classes
* The unused sessions were due to personal reasons of the student
* Services were not denied at any stage
* The full course has been completed


7. Institute’s Position
ALEARN INDIA has acted professionally, transparently, and in good faith throughout the engagement. There has been no misrepresentation, denial of service, or unfair practice.
The institute respectfully submits that the grievance has arisen due to a misunderstanding of policy and personal scheduling constraints, not due to any lapse in service.


8. Request to the Hon’ble Forum
ALEARN INDIA respectfully requests the Hon’ble Forum to kindly note that:
Services were fully delivered and accepted
The student completed the enrolled program
Refund is not applicable under the agreed terms
The grievance may be closed accordingly


9. Supporting Documents Submitted
* Demo confirmation & call logs
* Payment confirmation screenshots
* Policy communication email (September 2025)
* Class schedules and attendance records
* Trainer emails & learning materials
* Completion confirmation

A few additional supporting documents could not be uploaded due to technical limitations and may be submitted separately, if required, for further clarification.
 

Attachments

  • Annexure Trainer's email confirmation of classes completed.jpeg
    Annexure Trainer's email confirmation of classes completed.jpeg
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  • Annexure Trainer's email to student.jpeg
    Annexure Trainer's email to student.jpeg
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  • Annexure Representative reply to student on refund first email.jpeg
    Annexure Representative reply to student on refund first email.jpeg
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