A major case of ₹1 crore fraud has come to light in Gorakhpur, where victims were allegedly duped in the name of providing a Fashion TV franchise. In this high-profile case, police have arrested the prime accused, Vaibhav Mani Tripathi, and sent him to judicial custody. The allegation is that the accused falsely projected himself as being associated with Fashion TV Private Limited and lured investors with the promise of an “F Bar by Fashion TV” franchise, extracting large sums of money in the name of investment, infrastructure and bar setup.
The case surfaced after Juhi Singh, a resident of Shivpur Colony under the Ramgarh Tal police station area, submitted a written complaint to senior officials. Acting on the complaint, an FIR was registered on December 18, 2025. Following the investigation, the police arrested the main accused on Sunday and produced him before a special court, which remanded him to jail.
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The franchise trap
According to the complainant, she runs a firm named Park Hospitality, in which Vaibhav Mani Tripathi and Karunesh Pratap Shahi were also partners. Taking advantage of this business association and personal trust, Vaibhav Mani allegedly claimed that he was officially linked to Fashion TV Private Limited. He proposed offering the “F Bar by Fashion TV” franchise in Kanpur and Gorakhpur, assuring high returns and strong brand backing.
It is alleged that persuaded by these claims, Juhi Singh and her husband Rakesh Singh paid around ₹1 crore in multiple instalments, both through online transactions and in cash, to the accused and his associates. The money was taken in the name of franchise fees, brand licensing, infrastructure development and bar setup.
Company denies any agreement
When no concrete work began and official documentation was repeatedly delayed, the complainant directly approached Fashion TV Private Limited for verification. The company categorically denied having any agreement, financial transaction or understanding with either Juhi Singh or her firm.
This response triggered deeper scrutiny of the documents provided by the accused. During the investigation, it emerged that the agreement papers handed over to the complainant contained forged signatures. A handwriting expert’s report confirmed that the signatures on the contract were fake, strengthening the case of deliberate fraud.
Threats after demand for refund
Juhi Singh has alleged that when she demanded her money back, the accused and his associates issued threats to her life and safety. She further claimed that Vaibhav Mani Tripathi, along with relatives and associates, was operating as part of an organised group involved in similar fraudulent activities.
Apart from Vaibhav Mani Tripathi, police have also named Karunesh Pratap Shahi, Akhilesh Pathak, Abhishek Pathak, Gautam Kanaudia, Ramavatar Bansal, Gaurav Kanaudia and Narendra Tripathi as accused in the case.
Interrogation on, search for other accused
Following the arrest of the prime accused, police are conducting detailed interrogation to trace the money trail—including which bank accounts received the funds, how the money was transferred at different stages, and the precise role played by each individual in the network. Investigators say that further arrests may follow as the probe progresses, based on digital evidence and financial records.
Rising concern over franchise frauds
This case once again highlights the growing menace of frauds committed in the name of reputed brand franchises. Well-known brand names, promises of high profits and professionally drafted documents often create a false sense of security, leading investors to overlook basic verification.
Experts advise that before investing in any franchise, individuals must independently verify the brand’s official website, registered office details, authorised representatives and legal documents. Hasty decisions and unchecked trust can result in severe financial losses.
For now, the Gorakhpur case stands as a strong warning for investors, showing how trust in a brand name can come at a staggering cost—₹1 crore.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
