Victims protested at SP office, demanded FIR and return of funds after couple allegedly vanished with investments.

Around 200 people in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, have accused a local couple of running a scheme that promised to “double” investors’ money and then disappearing, leaving families in financial distress, according to victims and local officials. The aggrieved staged a protest at the Superintendent of Police (SP) office on Wednesday, demanding an FIR and speedy action.

Who and where
Victims identified the accused as Aslam Ansari and his wife, Abla Sultana (also known as Nanda). The alleged fraud affected residents across Rewa city and surrounding localities, with many complainants saying they were women and elderly savers from neighbourhoods including (localities named by victims), who handed over lifetime savings or borrowed money to invest.

How the scheme worked
Sources familiar with the matter said the couple initially paid out small returns to early investors, building credibility. That encouraged a larger number of people to deposit money with them on the promise that their principal would double. According to victims’ estimates shared during the protest, the scheme drew in “lakhs to crores” of rupees collectively, though no consolidated total has been recorded by police.

Timeline and ground cues
Initial reports indicate payments were made for a short period before the accused began delaying returns. Over recent weeks, when more depositors asked for their money back, the couple reportedly became evasive and then went missing, leaving many households without funds in the run-up to daily expenses and bill payments. Protesters gathered at the SP office in the late morning, some carrying receipts and hand-written records of transactions.

Victims’ complaints
Speaking to reporters at the SP office, several victims described acute financial hardship. One woman said she had given “years of savings” to the couple after they approached her at home; another said she borrowed from relatives to make the deposit. Organisers of the protest claimed roughly 200 people were affected and handed over a memorandum calling for immediate FIR registration and recovery measures.

Police response
SP Guru Karan Singh received the delegation and acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations. “We will investigate the matter and take appropriate action,” he told assembled victims, according to those present. Officials confirmed they have begun preliminary inquiries into complaints received at local police stations and that forensic checks on transaction records will follow. Police did not say whether an FIR had been registered at the time of the protest but assured demonstrators that legal steps would be taken.

Why this matters
Schemes that promise unrealistically high returns can devastate low- and middle-income households, particularly where social trust and word-of-mouth endorsements replace formal financial safeguards. Local consumer groups and a lawyer representing a cluster of victims said quick registration of an FIR is essential to preserve evidence, track suspected bank transfers or cash flows, and issue lookout notices if needed.

Background and context
Financial frauds using personal networks have surfaced periodically in smaller Indian towns, often blurring the line between informal lending and ponzi-style operations. Early payouts to initial investors are a common tactic to lure larger sums. Regulators and police have increasingly warned the public to verify registrations and insist on formal receipts and written contracts for any investment.

Impact and next steps
Protest leaders said they will continue pressure until an FIR is filed and the accused are located. Several victims are preparing to pursue a coordinated legal complaint with documentary evidence, receipts and witness statements. Police told reporters they would examine CCTV, phone records and bank transactions and coordinate with neighbouring districts if the accused have fled outside Rewa.

What to watch
Authorities’ next public update on FIR registration and the progress of the probe will be closely watched by victims. If a formal FIR is filed, the case could move quickly to asset-tracing and potential attachment requests to recover investor funds.

HDFC Bank staffer arrested in Bilaspur for cheating lawyer of ₹3 crore

Accused posed as Scottish investor to lure victim into ₹500 crore fake healthcare project; luxury cars and gadgets seized.

The Bilaspur Police have neutralized a major investment-linked cyber fraud with the arrest of a 34-year-old bank employee for allegedly duping a local lawyer of ₹3.13 crore. The accused, identified as Naveen June, an employee of HDFC Bank, reportedly orchestrated an elaborate scam involving fictitious foreign investors from Scotland and a massive ₹500 crore investment plan for social infrastructure in Chhattisgarh.

The breaking investment trap

The victim, identified as advocate Arun Mishra, was approached in early 2024 through a WhatsApp message from a foreign number. The sender, posing as a UK-based individual named ‘Dr. Lovheet’, introduced the victim to a supposed collaborator, ‘Grace David’ from Scotland. The duo enticed the lawyer with a proposal to invest ₹500 crore into building a cancer hospital, a blind institute, and a law college in India, offering him a partnership in the prestigious project.

Anatomy of the fraud

Relying on the professional background of his friend, Naveen June, the victim proceeded with project reports and legal formalities. However, the scam transitioned into a financial drain when the accused claimed that a Demand Draft (DD) worth ₹103 crore had been issued but was stuck in clearance. Under the guise of processing fees, customs duties, RBI clearances, and tax obligations, the victim was pressured into transferring large sums of money across multiple accounts.

Exploiting professional banking trust

Investigation reveals that Naveen June, a resident of Sonepat, Haryana, currently living in Bilaspur, utilized his insider knowledge of banking systems to facilitate the crime. Having previously served as a Direct Selling Agent, June created several fake email IDs, masquerading as high-ranking officials from the Embassy, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and various nationalized banks to provide a veneer of authenticity to the clearance delays.

Police action and recovery

Suspicion arose when the promised ₹103 crore draft failed to materialize despite the victim paying over ₹3 crore by July 31, 2024. Following a formal complaint at the Chakarbhata Police Station, a special team tracked the financial trail to June. Authorities have since seized a Mahindra Thar, a Maruti Venue, premium mobile phones, tablets, and laptops used in the commission of the crime.

Wider syndicate suspected locally

While Naveen June is currently in custody, senior officials indicated that this was not a solo operation. "The accused used sophisticated social engineering tactics and fake digital signatures. We are investigating the involvement of other associates who may have provided the foreign virtual numbers and helped in laundering the cheated amount," a police spokesperson stated during an India News Update.

Rising cyber-investment scams

This incident follows a string of high-profile frauds in Chhattisgarh. Recently, Raipur police busted a gang where a Class 10 dropout posed as a Delhi Post Office Director to dupe 52 people of ₹2.34 crore. The Bilaspur case highlights a dangerous trend where professionals with banking backgrounds are leveraging their expertise to target high-net-worth individuals under the guise of Government Updates or international collaborations.

What lies ahead

Naveen June has been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for cheating and forgery. The police are now coordinating with the cyber cell to trace the remaining funds and identify the 'money mules' whose accounts were used for the initial smaller transfers. This Public Interest Story serves as a grim reminder for citizens to verify foreign investment credentials through official diplomatic channels before committing personal capital to this Trending News India.

A major investment fraud case has sent shockwaves through Bollywood after veteran actors Govinda, Chunky Panday, and Shakti Kapoor, along with BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, were named in a First Information Report filed in connection with the alleged Maxizone Touch Private Limited scam. The Ghaziabad-based company reportedly defrauded investors of substantial amounts by promising unrealistic monthly returns.

The Complaint That Sparked Legal Action

The Govinda investment scam case originated from a complaint filed in Jamshedpur court by investors who claim they were lured by promises of approximately 15% monthly returns—a rate financial experts consistently identify as unsustainable and indicative of potential pyramid schemes. According to Bollywood Hungama, victims reported that neither the promised interest payments nor their original capital investments were ever returned.

The complaint triggered police involvement and has since escalated into a multi-agency investigation involving the Enforcement Directorate. For investors across India, this case serves as a stark reminder about the dangers of investment schemes offering extraordinarily high returns, regardless of celebrity endorsements backing them.

Celebrity Names Add Complexity to Investigation

While several individuals have been named in the Maxizone fraud case, the involvement of high-profile entertainment personalities has attracted significant public attention. Investigators believe that the celebrities' association with the company played a crucial role in building credibility and attracting potential investors.

The celebrities named in the FIR include:

• Govinda – Veteran Bollywood actor
• Chunky Panday – Popular character actor
• Shakti Kapoor – Well-known supporting actor
• Manoj Tiwari – Actor and BJP Member of Parliament

Legal experts suggest that celebrity endorsements create powerful psychological triggers, making ordinary investors more susceptible to fraudulent schemes. When trusted public figures appear to support an investment opportunity, people often bypass standard due diligence procedures, assuming the celebrity has verified the legitimacy.

Company Directors Arrested After Three-Year Manhunt

The investigation took a significant turn in September 2025 when Jamshedpur police arrested Chander Bhushan Singh and his wife Priyanka Singh, directors of Maxizone Touch Private Limited. According to law enforcement officials, the couple had evaded arrest for nearly three years before being apprehended.

Authorities allege the company operated a fraudulent multi-level marketing scheme while illegally collecting public funds. The Enforcement Directorate conducted raids at multiple company locations as part of a broader investigation into suspected investment and cryptocurrency-related fraud activities.

The Silence from Celebrity Camps

As of now, none of the named celebrities have issued official statements regarding their inclusion in the FIR. This silence has fueled public speculation about the extent of their involvement and whether they were aware of the company's alleged fraudulent operations.

Legal analysts note that celebrity involvement in such cases typically falls into three categories: active participation in fraud, negligent endorsement without proper verification, or unauthorized use of their names and images. The ongoing investigation will likely determine which scenario applies here.

What This Means for Investors

The Govinda investment scam highlights critical lessons for the investing public. Financial advisors consistently warn that legitimate investment opportunities rarely promise double-digit monthly returns. Such claims almost always indicate Ponzi schemes or pyramid structures designed to benefit early participants at the expense of later investors.

Red flags investors should watch for:

• Monthly returns exceeding 10-12% annually (let alone monthly)
• Celebrity endorsements as primary selling points
• Pressure to recruit additional investors
• Vague explanations of business models
• Resistance to providing written documentation

Investigation Continues

Authorities emphasize that the probe remains in its preliminary stages, with investigators working to determine each named individual's level of involvement and culpability. As the case develops, more details about the company's operations and the celebrities' relationships with Maxizone Touch Private Limited are expected to emerge.

This case serves as a sobering reminder that celebrity endorsements should never replace proper financial due diligence, and that investments promising extraordinary returns typically deliver extraordinary losses instead.