A 45-year-old lawyer from Worli, Mumbai, has fallen prey to an elaborate online scam after fraudsters allegedly used Bollywood singer Neha Kakkar’s name to promote a fake international trading platform called FXOnet.
According to a Mid-Day report, the victim, Advocate Shabnam Mohammad Hussain Syed, a resident of BDD Chawl, registered a complaint at the Worli Police Station after discovering in June that several fake articles and videos were circulating online — all falsely claiming that Neha Kakkar had endorsed FXOnet as a “trusted and legal trading platform.”
How the Scam Began
Convinced by the deceptive promotions, Syed began communicating with two individuals — one identifying himself as Vijay and another as Jimmy D’Souza — through international phone numbers, Telegram (@fxonetlbot), and Zoom calls.
The accused reportedly used professional-looking email IDs and well-crafted presentations to make the operation appear legitimate. They helped Syed set up a trading account and shared supposed “investment tips” through Telegram, posing as financial advisors.
How Much She Lost
Between June 18 and October 9, 2025, the lawyer transferred a total of ₹5,02,025 from her HDFC Bank account via UPI to multiple bank accounts under different names — including Rajesh Kannan (PONNURAKU@SUPERYES), VPI ProMedia Kigali, India Impex Trading Company, and VPI 361 VPECOM.
Despite repeated promises of profit and withdrawals, Syed never received any returns or refunds. Realising she had been scammed, she approached the Worli Police and filed an FIR.
Police Investigation Underway
The Worli Police have now launched a probe, booking the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act (IT Act).
Investigators are currently analysing Telegram conversations, Zoom meeting logs, and UPI transaction trails to track down those involved in the operation.
Authorities have also warned citizens to verify celebrity-linked financial promotions before investing, as such scams — often involving AI-generated or fake celebrity endorsements — have been on the rise.
Final Words
The case once again highlights how cybercriminals exploit public trust in celebrities to lure unsuspecting investors. Despite growing awareness, scammers continue to find new ways to deceive — making vigilance the first line of defence.
