Actress Scammed of Rs 50,000 by Fraudsters Posing as Producers

A 50-year-old actress from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, has fallen victim to a scam that resulted in a loss of Rs 50,000. The incident, which took place recently, involved conmen who falsely promised her a role in a web series. According to police officials, the actress was contacted via a WhatsApp call by an individual claiming to represent Mumbai’s prestigious Dharma Productions.

The impersonator informed her that she had been selected to portray the character of Sonakshi Sinha’s mother in the upcoming project titled Dahaad–2. To establish credibility, the fraudster presented a fabricated selection process and requested that the actress send in her acting videos. He then instructed her to transfer an advance payment of Rs 25,000, assuring her that she would receive Rs 300,000 upon signing an official agreement.

Trusting the conman, the actress made the transfer using a UPI app. Shortly thereafter, the fraudster contacted her again, stating that the local representative from Dharma Productions, Geeta Sharma, was unavailable due to a family crisis. He advised her to communicate directly with him, further manipulating her trust. As part of the scam, he sent her a QR code and demanded an additional Rs 25,000 for registration and costume charges. Believing his claims, she transferred the money, bringing her total loss to Rs 50,000.

Once the fraudster received the full amount, he ceased all communication and turned off his phone. Realizing she had been deceived, the actress reported the incident to the local crime branch and registered a complaint through the 1930 Cyber Helpline.

In response to the complaint, law enforcement is actively investigating the case to recover the lost funds and identify the perpetrator.

“We urge the public to exercise caution when receiving unsolicited calls or messages offering roles in films or web series,”

stated Rajesh Dandotiya, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime). The police emphasize the importance of verifying the legitimacy of any agency or individual before making financial commitments.

The Indore police have also issued an advisory to raise awareness about online fraud. They encourage individuals to report any suspicious activity immediately to the 1930 helpline or to contact the Cyber Helpline at 7049124445. As digital scams become increasingly sophisticated, vigilance is essential to avoid falling victim to similar schemes.