Businessman duped via fake Facebook account of Bollywood actor

The sleuths from Mumbai crime branch unit 10 have arrested a 40-year-old man for allegedly duping a Gujarat-based businessman to the tune of Rs 40 lakh by creating a fake Facebook profile of director-producer Divya Khosla Kumar.

According to crime branch officers, the accused had created a fake Facebook fan page and approached the victim, asking him to invest Rs 40 lakh in the film industry. The complainant was asked to channel the money in parts through different bank accounts. After sending the money, when the victim contacted the actor, she denied receiving any amount from him.

The businessman then realised he has been duped and narrated the incident to the actor. Oshiwara police registered a case under section 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Information Technology Act. The case was transferred to Mumbai crime branch to trace the accused.

"We tracked down the accused to Karnataka and a team of officers landed at his door after retrieving information of his internet activity," said a senior crime branch officer.

"The accused claimed he indulged in fraudulent activity to fend for the treatment of his ailing mother. We are trying to ascertain if any one else was cheated by him," said the officer.