Malad Investment Scam: Actress Among Victims of ₹2.63 Crore Fraud; Case Filed Against 11 Individuals | Representational image
Mumbai: A gang in the Malad area has been accused of defrauding multiple individuals, including film actress Dipu Seshram Sharma, also known as Dipu Kanhaiya Mulchandani, of Rs 2.63 crores. The group allegedly lured victims by promising to double their investments within ten months. The Malad police have registered a case against 11 individuals for cheating and forgery following a complaint lodged on January 4.
According to the FIR, Dipu Sharma, who resides in Malad West, was introduced to one of the accused in June 2017. The accused informed her about Maha KBC Agro Private Limited Company and claimed to be a senior officer in the organization, along with the company’s director. The accused introduced her to the other accused. They convinced her to invest, assuring her that the investment would double in ten months.
Initially, Sharma received good returns, which prompted her to invest more. Between June 2017 and August 31, 2018, she invested Rs 1.31 crore in the company and received documentation as proof of her investment. Encouraged by the returns, other investors also contributed to the scheme, collectively investing Rs 2.63 crores.
After delivering returns initially, the accused stopped paying the promised amounts. When Sharma and other investors inquired, the accused gave various excuses and assured them that their principal amounts would be refunded.
However, no refunds were issued. A few months later, the company was abruptly shut down, and the accused fled, leaving their phones switched off. It has been alleged that the gang used forged documents to convince investors and embezzled large sums of money. Despite claims of doubling the investment, no one received the promised returns over the past six years.
Once the fraud came to light, Dipu Sharma lodged a complaint with the Malad police. Based on her complaint, the police registered against the accused, including Priti Sonavadekar, Maruti Gawali, Nitin Jadhvani, Saurav Gawali, Varsharani Gawali, Dnyaneshwar, Rohit Sonavadekar, Nilakant Sonwadekar, Sudhakar and two unidentified individuals.
The case was filed under sections 34 (common intention), 406 (breach of trust), 420 (cheating and dishonesty), 467 (forgery of valuable security) along with more relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code along with relevant sections of the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors Act.
