Varanasi | A major business fraud case has surfaced in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi, where a hospitality company director was allegedly cheated of nearly ₹52.99 lakh on the promise of securing a franchise of an international lifestyle brand. Police have registered an FIR against nine individuals under charges related to cheating, criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy at Chitaipur police station, and an investigation into the alleged network is currently underway.
The complainant, Abhilash Narayan Singh, a resident of Vishwakarma Nagar Colony in the Chitaipur area, is associated with Raghukul Kripa Hospitality as a director. In his complaint, he alleged that the accused trapped him by promising to provide the franchise rights of “F Lounge by Fashion TV,” projecting it as a lucrative international business opportunity.
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According to the FIR, the accused named in the case include Kasif Khan alias Kasif Sardar, Hasim Khan, Dushyant Singh, Rupmani Singh, Asif Ali alias Abbas Diwani, Rohit Khanna, Kartik, Dolly Soni, and Harshat Koli. The complainant alleged that all the accused collectively persuaded him to invest in the proposed venture and extracted large sums of money under different pretexts.
As per the complaint, in August 2021, Dolly Soni and Dushyant Singh allegedly invited Abhilash Narayan Singh to Mumbai. There, he was reportedly introduced to Kasif Khan through a video call. The accused allegedly projected Kasif Khan as an influential individual associated with the company and assured the complainant that he could easily facilitate the franchise process.
Believing the proposal to be genuine and seeing it as a major expansion opportunity for his business, the complainant agreed to invest in the project. Subsequently, he was allegedly asked to transfer money in multiple stages for licensing charges, brand approvals, operational expenses, and other formalities linked to the franchise arrangement.
The complainant claimed that a total amount of ₹52 lakh 99 thousand 500 was transferred through different channels and bank accounts connected to the accused. However, despite repeated payments, neither was the franchise delivered nor was any legitimate business process completed.
According to the complaint, whenever the victim sought updates regarding the project or requested supporting documents, the accused allegedly continued delaying responses and making excuses. Over time, communication reportedly became infrequent. When pressure was mounted for a refund, the accused allegedly began avoiding contact altogether, prompting the complainant to approach the police.
Following the registration of the FIR, investigators have started examining bank transactions, digital payment records, mobile communication details, and documents related to the alleged deal. Authorities are also trying to determine whether the suspected franchise fraud network has links extending to other states or similar complaints involving additional victims.
Experts dealing with cyber and economic offences say cases involving fake franchise opportunities, investment schemes, and high-profile brand partnerships have increased significantly in recent years. Fraudsters often exploit the credibility of internationally recognized brands, glamorous business presentations, and promises of quick profits to target aspiring entrepreneurs and investors.
In many such cases, fake agreements, professionally designed presentations, forged documents, and video meetings are used to establish trust before demanding large investments. The increasing use of digital payment systems has also enabled financial fraud networks to operate across multiple cities with relative ease.
According to a cyber expert associated with the Future Crime Research Foundation, “Before investing in any franchise or large-scale business partnership, independent verification of the company’s official credentials, registration records, and legal documentation is extremely important. Organized fraud networks are increasingly using digital tools and professional tactics to execute sophisticated economic crimes.”
