Actress & others ‘duped’ of 2.6cr in agri export biz

Mumbai: An actress-dancer who runs a YouTube channel and her acquaintances were duped of Rs 2.6 crore in a scam in which they had been promised double their investments in an agricultural firm over a period of 10 months. A case of cheating has been registered against 11 people at Malad police station.
The 51-year-old actress has said in her statement to the police that one of the accused was known to her relative. She was told that the agricultural firm operated out of Mira Road, Ulhasnagar and Solapur and they exported grapes, milk powder, sunflowers, lemons, onions to Spain. She was told raw produce is in high demand in Spain and fetches a higher price than in India. The relevant paperwork was shared with the complainant and some of the accused also visited her Malad home. She said she was convinced that her investment in the firm would double in 10 months.
The accused claimed that they exported more than 100 containers of raw produce to Spain every month. The accused claimed that payments were received within three months in Euros.
The accused highlighted their need for funds. The actress said she was impressed with the investment scheme and initially invested Rs 30 lakh. She received Rs 7 lakh in return. She then mortgaged a flat she owned, sold her Audi and jewellery to invest more. She invested Rs 1.3 croreand convinced more than 10 acquaintances to invest another Rs 1.3 crore in all.
Gradually, returns dwindled. The accused claimed their produce was being rejected in Spain and payments were not coming in. She and her acquaintances then approached the police.