In a significant crackdown, the Delhi Police's crime branch has apprehended a 31-year-old man accused of orchestrating a sophisticated pan-India foreign exchange (forex) fraud by masquerading as a film industry insider. The accused, identified as Krishna Kumar Sharma from Hooghly, West Bengal, is alleged to be the mastermind behind high-value cheating cases spanning several states.
The Elusive Mastermind Nabbed in Delhi
Acting on a specific tip-off, the police arrested Sharma on Saturday in the Kiran Garden area of Uttam Nagar, Delhi. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Harsh Indora stated that information was received about his planned meeting in the area, leading to his capture. Sharma was already a wanted man, with an arrest warrant issued against him in a case registered at Kolkata's Shakespeare Sarani police station on November 14. The charges include cheating, impersonation, and criminal conspiracy for allegedly defrauding a victim of USD 15,000 and 1,000 euros, amounting to roughly Rs 14.5 lakh.
Modus Operandi: A Bollywood-Style Con
Police investigations reveal a meticulously planned con where Sharma built an elaborate facade to win the trust of his targets. He projected himself as a successful film producer and scheduled meetings exclusively between 11 am and 2 pm in five-star hotels. To bolster his credibility, he allegedly enlisted his nephew and several others to act as bouncers, makeup artists, and film crew members during these meetings.
Once trust was established, Sharma would collect dollars and euros from victims under the pretext of offering better exchange rates or facilitating deals linked to celebrities. The gang would then execute a swift escape, fleeing through back exits of hotels. They immediately booked flight tickets and went underground to evade capture. The group also cheated numerous travel companies and forex exchangers, operating with extreme caution.
Evasion Tactics and Criminal History
To avoid law enforcement, the gang employed multiple tactics. All their flight and hotel bookings were made in cash to leave no digital trail. They operated using several mobile phones, SIM cards, and encrypted messenger applications. Shockingly, they also carried chilli sprays and chloroform for "safety" during their criminal activities.
Sharma is not a first-time offender. He was already out on bail in a May 2024 case filed at Delhi's Connaught Place police station, where he allegedly stole USD 25,000. His criminal involvement spans cities like Mumbai, Greater Mumbai, Kolkata, and Delhi. In 2023, he duped a woman of Rs 45 lakh in Mumbai's Amboli area, promising to sign a film actor. His associate, Saurabh, has already been arrested by the Kolkata Police.
Interestingly, Sharma is a BCom (Hons) graduate who once launched an event and celebrity management firm. He even produced a music video with a major label, using this legitimate facade to enable his fraudulent schemes. His arrest marks a crucial breakthrough for police forces across states, potentially unravelling a wider network of forex fraud targeting businesses and individuals.
