TV Stars Defrauded by Advertising Agency: A massive fraud has rocked the television industry, with Ankita Lokhande and 24 other celebrities allegedly losing crores of rupees.
Entertainment Desk: A major advertising agency has allegedly defrauded several prominent television stars of crores of rupees. The list includes 25 celebrities, among them Ankita Lokhande, Tejasswi Prakash, and Arjun Bijlani. These stars were contracted to endorse an energy drink but have yet to receive their payment. A complaint has been filed at the Chembur police station in Mumbai.
Allegation of ₹1.5 Crore Fraud
Roshan Vinder, director of a celebrity management company, filed the complaint against the fraud. He named five individuals—Tanish Cherda, Manu Shrivastav, Faisal Rafiq, Abdul, and Ritik Panchal—as the perpetrators. Reports suggest the advertising agency defrauded the celebrities of a total of ₹1.5 crore after using them in an advertising campaign.
How the Fraud Was Perpetrated?
Complainant Roshan Vinder stated that he received a call from an advertising agency that offered contracts to 25 artists for an energy drink endorsement. The total contract value for the advertisement was finalized at ₹1.32 crore. The advertisement shoot was completed, and the celebrities even shared it on their social media platforms. Initially, Roshan received a receipt for ₹10 lakh, but no money was credited to the account. The company then claimed to be holding a party for 100 celebrities, from whom 25 would be selected for the campaign.
Celebrities' Checks Bounced
After the shoot, the celebrities were issued two checks, one for ₹2 lakh and another for ₹90,000, both of which bounced. Ankita Lokhande, Jay Bhanushali, and several other artists received an advance of ₹35 lakh, but subsequent checks totaling ₹80 lakh also bounced.
Investigation Launched into Celebrities' Complaints
Following the revelation involving several high-profile artists, the police have launched an investigation. The Chembur police are currently questioning the five individuals accused of the fraud. The celebrities are hopeful of recovering their outstanding payments soon.
