Marathi actress Varsha Usgaonkar and several others have fallen victim to a scam involving a man who pretended to be a builder and film producer, as revealed by Mumbai Police. The fraud, amounting to around Rs. 47 lakh, targeted individuals in the Marathi film industry. The accused, identified as Avinash Jadhav, is facing allegations of deceiving actresses, including Varsha Usgaonkar. A case has been filed against him at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park Police Station, prompting an official investigation.
A complainant named Mrunalini Subhash Jambhale, an actress associated with Marathi theatre and films, disclosed her professional connection with Avinash Jadhav. Jadhav, masquerading as a reputable builder and film producer, enticed her to invest in a construction venture in Dombivli by promising lucrative returns in a short timeframe. He guaranteed the return of the entire invested sum within a year.
During the period between November 2019 and February 2020, Mrunalini Jambhale, Varsha Usgaonkar, and three others collectively transferred Rs. 47 lakh to Jadhav through cheques and online transactions. Initially, Jadhav returned Rs. 4.52 lakh in a bid to gain trust, but abruptly ceased further repayments. The victims allege that the accused evaded them by changing his contact details and address when they sought explanations.
Following these events, the victims reported the scam to the authorities at Shivaji Park Police Station. A case has been registered against the perpetrator under IPC Sections 420 (cheating) and 506 (criminal intimidation), with an ongoing investigation by the police. Authorities are also exploring the possibility of additional individuals who might have been ensnared by the accused’s fraudulent activities.
