Mumbai Police have booked five people, including the owners of an Indore-based energy drink company, for allegedly cheating a celebrity management firm and TV stars.
March 18, 2025 | Mumbai
The television industry has been rocked by a massive fraud case, with 25 TV personalities, including Ankita Lokhande, Tejasswi Prakash, and Adrija Roy, falling victim to an alleged ₹1.48 crore scam orchestrated by an Indore-based energy drink company.
Also Read: Pushpa 3 Set for 2028: Can It Achieve a Historic ₹2000 Crore Box Office Record?
The Scam & Accused
- The fraud was committed by a company called Sky 63 Energy Drinks, run by Tanish Chhajed and Manu Shrivastava, along with their associates Faizal Idrii, Abdul, and Riitik Panchal.
- The company allegedly hired a celebrity management firm, Ayman Entertainment, run by Roshan Bhinder, to organize ad campaigns and promotions featuring celebrities.
- However, the company failed to pay the promised amount, despite the promotions being completed.
How the Fraud Happened
- Promise of Payments: The accused claimed to have transferred an advance of ₹10 lakh, which was never received.
- Event Execution: A star-studded promotional event was held in Dadar, Mumbai, on August 10, 2024, featuring 100 celebrities, including Arjun Bijlani, Abhishek Bajaj, and Harsh Rajput.
- Misleading Cheque Guarantee: The accused shared a fake ₹15 lakh cheque image as a payment guarantee to gain trust.
- Campaign Execution: Celebrities shot ad campaigns and social media promotions, with some already paid ₹35 lakh in advance.
- Final Blow: The fraudsters kept delaying payments, promising transfers within 35 days, but never followed through.
Legal Action Taken
- Roshan Bhinder filed a police complaint at the Chembur Police Station.
- Mumbai Police have booked five individuals under fraud-related charges.
- Authorities are currently tracking the suspects and working to recover the lost funds.
Impact on Celebrities & Industry
- The scam has left several TV stars unpaid, leading to financial losses for both the celebrities and the management firm.
- Industry insiders believe this case highlights the risks of unverified brand collaborations.
The police investigation is ongoing, and further developments are expected soon.
Tags:
#AnkitaLokhande, #TejasswiPrakash, #BollywoodScam, #CelebrityFraud, #EnergyDrinkScam, #MumbaiPolice, #TVActors, #EntertainmentNews,
Last Updated on March 18, 2025 by Misha Bhatia
