Mumbai Police has taken legal action against Bhojpuri actress Akanksha Awasthi and her husband Vivek Kumar, also known as Abhishek Kumar Singh Chauhan, following serious allegations of financial fraud amounting to a staggering Rs 11.50 crore. The case involves a Mumbai-based customs clearance agent who claims he was systematically deceived by the couple through elaborate false promises related to the film industry.
Complaint Details and Police Action
The formal complaint was lodged by Hitesh Kantilal Ajmera, who operates a customs clearance business in Mumbai. According to official documents, Ajmera approached the Pantnagar police station with detailed allegations against the couple. The police registered a First Information Report (FIR) on Wednesday, January 28, based on his comprehensive complaint, marking the beginning of a formal investigation into what appears to be a sophisticated financial deception scheme.
Alleged False Promises and Film Industry Connections
The FIR reveals that Akanksha Awasthi and Vivek Kumar allegedly presented themselves as influential figures within the Bollywood and regional film industries. They reportedly claimed to possess substantial wealth and extensive professional connections that could guarantee high returns on investments. The complainant specifically stated that Akanksha Awasthi told him she owned a fully operational film studio along with an artists' training center located in Andheri, Mumbai's prominent entertainment district.
According to the police complaint, the couple allegedly lured the customs agent with multiple attractive propositions. These included promises of studio ownership opportunities, potential fame within the entertainment industry, and an extraordinary return of Rs 200 crore without any interest charges. The complainant further alleged that Vivek Kumar made additional claims about possessing Rs 300 crore in physical cash stored in a warehouse in Bettiah, Bihar, which he said was temporarily inaccessible due to ongoing legal complications.
Financial Transactions and Alleged Deception
The timeline of alleged financial transactions spans from March to July 2024, during which the complainant claims he transferred the substantial sum of Rs 11.50 crore to multiple bank accounts provided by the accused couple. The complaint details that the transactions were conducted systematically over this five-month period, with the complainant operating under the belief that he was investing in legitimate film industry ventures.
Adding another layer to the alleged deception, the complainant stated that he was personally taken to Patna, Bihar, where he was shown documents that purportedly related to the warehouse containing the claimed Rs 300 crore cash reserve. This physical demonstration appears to have been part of what the complainant describes as an elaborate scheme to establish credibility for their false claims.
The Disappearance and Investigation
A particularly dramatic incident mentioned in the FIR occurred on July 5, 2024, while the parties were traveling toward Bettiah. According to the complaint, Vivek Kumar exited the vehicle under the pretext of purchasing sweets from a local shop but never returned to the car. The complainant alleges that Kumar subsequently switched off his mobile phone, making all communication impossible and effectively disappearing at that critical moment.
Mumbai Police authorities have confirmed that a thorough investigation into the matter is currently underway. Law enforcement officials are examining all aspects of the case, including the financial transactions, the alleged false representations made by the accused, and the circumstances surrounding the disappearance incident in Bihar. The police are following multiple investigative leads to determine the full extent of the alleged fraud scheme and identify any additional victims or accomplices.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges of financial fraud in urban centers like Mumbai, where promises of quick wealth and industry connections can sometimes mask sophisticated deception schemes. The entertainment industry's glamorous appeal occasionally becomes a tool for such fraudulent activities, making due diligence particularly important for potential investors.
