Lucknow: A dream modelling assignment, a promised shoot for a top e-commerce brand and a few thousand rupees as “registration fee” formed the bait in a nationwide racket busted by Gudamba police in Lucknow.
The accused, Shivam Srivastava (34) and Deepika Singh (28), were running the outfit from Janaki Plaza in Jankipuram. A police team raided the premises and found 10 women executives busy calling applicants from across the country using pre-written scripts designed to lure them into enrolling for modelling opportunities. Investigators said victims were asked to deposit Rs 999 as membership fee and charged Rs 4,000 for portfolio creation, with total payments ranging between Rs 10,000 and Rs 25,000.
Preliminary scrutiny also revealed cybercrime complaints linked to the bank accounts and mobile numbers of suspects. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Lucknow | Silver Rate in Lucknow | Bank Holidays in Lucknow | Public Holidays in Lucknow | Lucknow AQI | Weather in Lucknow | Petrol Price in Lucknow | Diesel Price in Lucknow | CNG Price in Lucknow | LPG Price in Lucknow Stay updated with the latest Lucknow news.
Applicants were told they could secure advertisement shoots, catalogue assignments and promotional campaigns after paying registration and portfolio charges. Two people accused of duping aspiring models through a fake call centre in Jankipuram have been arrested. The duo advertised casting and modelling assignments on social media, claiming links with major e-commerce companies. Once the money was received, promised assignments never materialised. The calls by aspirants were ignored and, in several cases, their numbers were blocked. Police seized six mobile phones, registers, call scripts, employee records, a cheque book and diaries containing applicant details and payment records. Download the TOI App.