Delhi Police arrest man for duping aspiring models of over Rs 33 lakh
The Delhi Police have arrested a 30-year-old man for allegedly defrauding aspiring models and several women of more than ₹33 lakh by offering fake modelling contracts and making false marriage promises.
The accused, identified as Kaushik Raj, who also used the alias Aniket Singh Rajpoot, was apprehended following a case registered at the Mandawali police station on July 10. According to the police, Raj has several complaints alleging a similar modus operandi pending against him in various regions, including Noida, Gurugram, Delhi, Maharashtra, and West Bengal.
The investigation began after a woman filed a complaint alleging that the accused befriended her on social media, promised to marry her, and claimed he could secure modelling assignments with a prominent mobile phone manufacturing company.
Police officials stated that Raj presented himself to the victim's family as a successful businessman working in the fashion, advertising, and event management sectors. To gain their trust, he produced a fabricated biodata detailing fake business credentials and a high income, while presenting luxury vehicles and expensive properties as his own.
During their probe, the police discovered that Raj had prepared forged modelling agreements under a company name. He allegedly used these documents to induce the complainant and other aspiring models to deposit refundable security fees for the promised assignments.
Additionally, Raj allegedly collected money from the victims for engagement arrangements, wedding venue bookings, travel, and boutique registration. He did this by falsely claiming that luxury hotel bookings had already been made. In total, the complainant and her associates suffered a financial loss of approximately ₹33.51 lakh.
A police team tracked down and arrested the accused after analysing digital chats, bank account details, and financial transactions. Investigators recovered a mobile phone containing chats with the complainant, as well as cheque books from three different bank accounts.
According to the police, Raj utilized multiple identities and fake residential addresses to execute the frauds. He allegedly spent the defrauded money on luxury travel, clubs, and expensive electronic gadgets.
Prior to this arrest, Raj was arrested in connection with an online concert ticket fraud case registered by the Cyber Police Station in South Delhi. He was also found to be involved in a cheating case in Maharashtra. Further investigation is currently underway to verify the forged documents, trace the financial transactions, identify other victims, and determine if any accomplices were involved.
