A serious fraud case has surfaced in Mumbai, pulling well-known Bollywood names into an alleged financial scam involving forged signatures and fake emails. The Amboli police have booked three individuals for reportedly cheating Hari Media Network Pvt Ltd of ₹1.41 crore using fabricated documents linked to actress Athiya Shetty and actor Arshad Warsi.
What the Police Say
According to investigators, the accused include Rishbh Sureka, a former senior manager at Hari Media, Yash Nagarkoti, CEO of Hooray Movies, and Ashay Shastri. Police allege the trio forged Athiya Shetty’s signature and created a fake email ID impersonating Arshad Warsi to push fraudulent brand deals and siphon money.
Hari Media Network, which operates out of Mumbai and Haryana, works in advertising, influencer branding, and marketing campaigns. Sureka, due to his role within the company, allegedly had access to internal communications and client dealings — a position police say was misused.
How the Alleged Fraud Unfolded
Investigators claim forged documents were used to move around ₹52 lakh into Sureka’s personal account from major brands, including Havells, Mahindra Lifespaces, Realme, and Birla Estates.
In another instance from January 2024, Sureka allegedly approached Athiya Shetty’s talent management through official company channels and secured a ₹40 lakh jewellery deal. Police say ₹15 lakh was collected using a forged signature and never transferred to the actress. To extract more funds, a fake Zomato invoice was also allegedly generated using the names of Athiya Shetty and cricketer KL Rahul.
Celebrities Not Accused
It’s important to note that Athiya Shetty, Arshad Warsi, and KL Rahul are not accused in the case. Their names, as per the police complaint, were allegedly misused without consent.
Athiya Shetty’s Personal Milestone
The case comes at a time when Athiya Shetty has been keeping a low profile publicly, focusing on family life. She and husband KL Rahul recently welcomed their daughter, Evaarah, and shared a rare, heartfelt New Year post with fans. The couple became parents in March 2025, two years after their wedding at Suniel Shetty’s Khandala farmhouse.
Final Words
This case highlights how celebrity identities can be exploited to lend credibility to fraudulent deals, especially in the influencer and brand-collaboration space. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to trace the money trail and determine the full extent of the alleged scam.
