A 29-year-old businesswoman from Thane has allegedly been cheated of ₹20.60 lakh after a Haryana-based firm owner promised to promote her clothing brand through celebrities and high-profile stylists. According to the complaint, garments worth ₹20.60 lakh were sent to individuals identified as part of the proposed promotional campaign, but the promised promotion was allegedly not carried out and the clothing inventory or its value was not returned.
An FIR was registered at Kasarvadavli police station on August 7 under Section 316(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to criminal breach of trust, and Section 318(4), relating to cheating. No arrest has been made so far.
Celebrity connections allegedly used to gain trust
According to the complaint, the accused approached the businesswoman with an offer to market and promote her clothing line through influential personalities. To establish credibility, the accused allegedly shared a detailed company brochure that showcased purported associations and tie-ups with celebrities and prominent personalities.
The businesswoman allegedly relied on these claims and agreed to provide clothing inventory for the proposed promotional campaign. Garments valued at around ₹20.60 lakh were subsequently sent to stylists and celebrities said to have been arranged through the accused.
The complaint alleges that the clothing was supplied on the understanding that it would be used for celebrity-led promotion and brand visibility. The businesswoman expected the arrangement to generate publicity for her clothing line and help expand the brand’s reach.
Inventory allegedly taken but promotion did not happen
The complainant alleged that after the garments were delivered to the designated individuals, the promised promotional activities did not materialise. Instead, the accused allegedly misappropriated the clothing inventory and failed to fulfil the contractual commitments.
The businesswoman claimed that she neither received the expected celebrity promotion nor got the garments back. She also allegedly sought compensation or payment equivalent to the value of the inventory, but the amount was not returned.
The alleged transactions and activities are stated to have taken place between July 2025 and August 2026. Investigators will now examine how the clothing was supplied, who received it and what happened to the inventory after delivery.
Police begin checking transaction and inventory trail
Following the complaint and a preliminary inquiry, police registered the case and began investigating the alleged financial and commercial transactions. A key part of the probe will be tracing the movement of the ₹20.60 lakh worth of garments.
Investigators are expected to examine invoices, delivery records, communications, business documents and details of the individuals to whom the clothing was allegedly sent. These records could help establish whether the inventory reached the stylists and celebrities identified for the promotional campaign.
Police will also examine the company’s representations and the promotional arrangement allegedly offered to the businesswoman. One of the key questions will be whether the celebrity and stylist connections mentioned in the brochure were genuine or were allegedly used to gain the complainant’s confidence.
No arrest so far
Police said no arrest had been made in the case at the time of reporting. Investigators are verifying the allegations and examining the available documentary and electronic evidence.
The probe will also determine whether the Haryana-based firm owner acted alone or whether other individuals were involved in receiving, transferring or allegedly misappropriating the clothing inventory. The role of each person connected with the transactions will be assessed on the basis of evidence.
The delivery trail of the garments, invoices and payment-related records are expected to be important to the investigation. Communication between the complainant and the accused could also help establish the terms under which the clothing was supplied and the commitments allegedly made regarding celebrity promotion.
Investigation to establish what happened to ₹20.60 lakh worth of goods
The case is currently at an early stage, and the allegations have not yet been established in court. Police are focusing on the transaction trail and movement of the inventory to determine whether the garments were used for the stated promotional purpose or diverted elsewhere.
The investigation will also establish the exact nature of the business arrangement, the identities of the people who received the garments and the circumstances under which the inventory was allegedly not returned.
Further action will depend on the evidence collected during the investigation. Until then, the alleged fraud, misappropriation of the clothing stock and the role of the accused remain subject to verification by the police.
