Bollywood Imposter Nabbed in Forex Fraud Spree

A sophisticated forex fraud ring operating across India has been dismantled with the arrest of its alleged mastermind, Krishna Kumar Sharma. The 31-year-old from West Bengal posed as a film producer, using a fabricated entourage of bouncers and crew to meet victims in five-star hotels. He promised lucrative currency exchange rates or exclusive celebrity-linked deals to gain trust.

Sharma, wanted in a Kolkata case for defrauding a victim of USD 15,000 and 1,000 euros (approx. Rs 14.5 lakh), was apprehended in Delhi. He had previously duped a woman in Mumbai of Rs 45 lakh. The gang operated with extreme caution, using cash for all transactions, multiple phones, and employing tactics like chilli sprays for their escapes.

Investigations revealed the group also defrauded travel companies and forex exchangers. Flights and hotels were booked solely in cash, and they utilized various communication apps to avoid detection. Sharma, a commerce graduate, previously managed an event firm and has a history of bail in similar cases, highlighting the persistence of his fraudulent activities.