The Juhu police recently apprehended a 29-year-old man who had been posing as a representative of actor Akshay Kumar’s production and distribution house, Cape of Good Films. The suspect, identified as Rohan alias Prince Kumar Mehra alias Prince Kumar Sinha, allegedly attempted to deceive a 28-year-old entrepreneur, Pooja Anandani, by promising her a role in a film based on the Nirbhaya case.
Anandani, who runs a company called ResuMade and is also an aspiring actor, became a target for the fraudster due to her social media presence. The accused contacted her claiming to be Rohan Mehra from Cape of Good Films and offered her a role in a film focused on women empowerment and the Nirbhaya case. He even fabricated claims of prominent actors like Akshay Kumar, Bobby Deol, Radhika Apte, and Richa Chadha being part of the project.
The deception escalated as the accused showed Anandani a forged signature of Akshay Kumar and assured her of a substantial payment ranging from ₹12 lakh to ₹15 lakh for the role. He then coerced her into investing ₹6 lakh for a portfolio shoot with a reputed photographer, claiming it was a standard practice in the industry.
Sensing something amiss, Anandani consulted her family, who advised her to verify the legitimacy of the offer. Upon contacting Akshay Kumar’s office, they confirmed that no such individual was associated with their production house. Determined to expose the fraud, Anandani and her father coordinated with the police to apprehend the accused.
The trap was set at J W Marriot, Juhu, where the accused was caught red-handed by the Juhu police while leaving the hotel. A case has been registered against him under Sections 419 (cheating by impersonation) and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the Indian Penal Code.
This incident serves as a cautionary tale for aspiring artists and highlights the importance of due diligence when dealing with casting opportunities in the entertainment industry. The swift action by the police and Anandani’s vigilance helped thwart a potential scam, underscoring the need for awareness and vigilance against fraudulent practices targeting individuals’ dreams and aspirations in the film industry.
Sources By Agencies
