In a shocking case of impersonation, a Mumbai-based lyricist was swindled out of Rs 3.25 lakh by a conman posing as a middleman for singer Kailash Kher. Preml Prful Mehta, aged 35, now faces fraud charges filed by Park Site Police after his scheme unraveled.
The victim, 38-year-old Chaitanya Govind Kanhaiya from Uttar Pradesh, resides in Oshiwara and works as a songwriter and musician. Their connection began in December 2023 via a common friend. Mehta convincingly pitched the opportunity to get Kanhaiya’s track recorded by Kher himself. To seal the deal, he facilitated a video call mimicking interaction with the star, who purportedly advised linking up with his manager.
Convinced, Kanhaiya met Mehta at Ghatkopar’s R-City Mall. There, under the pretext of securing studio time and contracts, Mehta extracted an advance transfer of Rs 3.25 lakh to a woman’s account named Nita Saraiyar.
Post-transfer, silence ensued. Mehta ignored calls until Kanhaiya pushed hard, prompting a dud cheque dated January 5, 2024. Direct outreach to Kher’s real team exposed the hoax—no records of any discussion existed.
Police swiftly acted on Kanhaiya’s report, booking Mehta under cheating provisions. The probe aims to trace the money trail and uncover accomplices. Authorities warn the public: ‘High-profile promises often hide low-life scams. Double-check everything.’
This fraud highlights rampant exploitation targeting dream-chasing talents in Bollywood and music circles. Kanhaiya’s ordeal serves as a stark reminder to prioritize verification over excitement in deal-making.
