Cyber Crime
How Con Artists Dupe Aspiring Actor of RS 4 Lakh in Star Plus Casting Scam
Versova police book two TV casting producers for duping aspiring actor Nishant Singh of Rs 4.29 lakh, promising a lead role. Investigation underway to trace the suspects.
MUMBAI: A 29-year-old aspiring actor, Nishant Kumar Manoj Singh, fell victim to cyber fraudsters who promised him a role in the popular Star Plus serial “Dil Ko Tumse Pyar Hua.” The Versova police have reportedly registered a case under the Information Technology (IT) Act against two unidentified individuals, including a woman, and are currently investigating the matter.
According to reports, Singh, who resides in the Versova area of Andheri, had joined several WhatsApp groups dedicated to acting auditions. On May 28, 2024, he received a call from an unknown person named Abhay Kumar, who claimed to be a casting director. Abhay requested Singh to send his audition video via WhatsApp. After receiving the video, Abhay contacted Singh again on May 29th with the news that he had been selected for “Dil Ko Tumse Pyar Hua.” However, there was a catch – Singh would need to pay a registration fee to secure the role. Abhay assured Singh that upon paying the fee, he would be signed for a two-year contract and receive a confirmation check from the production house.
ALSO READ: Inside Rs 96.2 Lakh Investment Fraud – How They Lured Victims and Got Busted by CID Jharkhand
Believing this to be a legitimate opportunity, Singh transferred the initial sum as instructed. Following this, he was connected with another individual named Sneha Sharma, who supposedly facilitated further communication. However, after receiving the first payment, both Abhay and Sneha started avoiding Singh’s calls and messages. They made various excuses and even demanded additional money under different pretexts.
From May 28th to July 8th, 2024, Singh, under the false promise of landing the role, was duped of a total of Rs 4 lakhs through Google Pay and bank transfers. Finally suspecting fraud, Singh approached the Versova police and filed a complaint. Based on his statement, the police have registered a case under the IT Act against Abhay Kumar and Sneha Sharma. Efforts are currently underway to apprehend the accused.
However, after weeks of waiting for the promised contract and facing unanswered calls, Singh grew suspicious. Realizing he might have been a victim of fraud, he approached the Versova police on Saturday and filed a cheating case.
“We are currently investigating the case and tracing the two individuals who contacted Singh and claimed to be casting producers,” stated an officer from the Versova police station.
This incident serves as a cautionary tale for aspiring actors to be wary of unsolicited offers, especially those involving upfront payments. Legitimate casting calls rarely require such financial commitments. It’s crucial to thoroughly research production houses and casting directors before submitting any personal information or making financial transactions. If an offer seems too good to be true, it most likely is.
ALSO READ: AT&T’s Worst Call: Phone Records of Nearly All Customers Stolen in Major Breach
Here are some safety tips for aspiring actors:
- Never pay registration fees or processing charges for auditions.
- Research the production house and casting director before responding to any offers.
- Verify contact information through official channels.
- Avoid sharing personal financial details with unknown individuals.
- If uncertain, report suspicious activity to the authorities.