Mumbai/Surat, June 25 (IANS) A Mumbai-based event management executive has been arrested for allegedly cheating a Surat businessman out of more than Rs 1.41 crore by falsely promising to organise live performances by singer Arijit Singh, comedian Kapil Sharma and actor-dancer Nora Fatehi, police said on Thursday.

The case stems from a complaint filed by Abhishek Borda, 28, the proprietor of Shubharambh Entertainment in the Mota Varachha area of Surat, who alleged that he and his business partner, Nandish Zadifia, were induced to make a series of payments after being assured that high-profile celebrity events could be arranged in the city.

According to the complaint, Borda came into contact in 2024 with Aninda Netai Seal, director of Base 52 Entertainment Pvt Ltd, and Anantkumar Shivnath Gupta, director of Riddhi Siddhi Motion Picture Pvt Ltd, both based in Mumbai.

The complainant alleged that the two men portrayed themselves as influential figures in the entertainment industry with direct access to leading Bollywood personalities.

Police said the accused allegedly displayed photographs of themselves with well-known celebrities to establish credibility and convince the organisers that they had the connections necessary to arrange a live concert by Arijit Singh.

Following these assurances, Borda allegedly paid an initial token amount of Rs 11 lakh and entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the parties involved.

Investigators said the organisers were later informed that an Arijit Singh concert could not be arranged.

The accused allegedly then proposed events featuring Kapil Sharma and Nora Fatehi instead and continued seeking funds for artists’ fees, travel, venue inspections and accommodation, including stays at a five-star hotel in Surat.

The complainant alleged that a total of Rs 1,43,12,422 was transferred to various bank accounts during the course of the dealings. When no event materialised, he sought a refund.

According to the complaint, the accused issued security cheques, but only Rs 1.15 lakh was returned. The remaining amount remained unpaid, and cheques allegedly issued towards repayment were dishonoured.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-5) Lakhdhir Singh Zala said that preliminary investigation indicated the promises of celebrity performances formed part of a fraudulent scheme.

“Prima facie, it was found that the accused had promised the complainant a live concert by Arijit Singh. Later, he also offered to arrange live shows featuring Nora Fatehi and Kapil Sharma. However, all these claims appear to have been part of a fraudulent scheme,” Zala said.

He added that investigators had found no professional association between the accused and any of the celebrities whose names were used during the negotiations.

Police also stated that the photographs shown to event organisers appeared to be ordinary selfies and pictures taken with celebrities rather than evidence of any business relationship.

Following the complaint lodged at Utran Police Station, a case was registered against the accused and directors of entertainment companies linked to the transactions on charges including cheating and criminal breach of trust.

Police subsequently traced and arrested Seal in Andheri, Mumbai. “Based on the investigation, the accused was apprehended from Andheri in Mumbai. His interrogation and further investigation in the case are currently underway,” Zala said.

Police are examining financial transactions, agreements and communications between the parties to determine the full extent of the alleged fraud.

–IANS

mys/dan