Actor's Rs 17 Lakh Scam: The Exchange that Turned into a Heist

Actor Abhay Shankar Jha fell victim to a financial scam, being duped out of Rs 17 lakh by four individuals under the guise of exchanging Rs 500 notes for smaller denominations, according to police reports from Thursday.

Jha, a figure familiar to audiences from his roles in Hindi films and TV series, formally reported the incident to the Matunga police on Wednesday. However, no arrests have been made thus far, an official stated. The complaint detailed that one Roshan Kumar posed as a benefactor ready to support Jha's cinematic ventures requiring Rs 5 crore.

In a twist of events on July 31, Kumar indicated a need for Rs 17 lakh in Rs 500 notes to be transported for a wedding. Jha complied, arranging an exchange in Wadala where the cash was passed to an accomplice, only for the suspect to abscond. Despite initial promises of repayment, communication with the involved parties soon ceased, leaving Jha seeking justice as the police investigation continues.

(With inputs from agencies.)