Mumbai police have launched a probe into a disturbing case of online impersonation and identity theft targeting prominent film director Vikas Bahl. The Khar police station registered a formal case on Wednesday against an unidentified individual who created a fraudulent Instagram profile posing as Bahl.
The Modus Operandi of the Accused
According to the official complaint, the unknown accused used the fake Instagram account to contact numerous women. The imposter promised them work in films and web series, exploiting Bahl's reputable name in the industry. The interactions quickly turned inappropriate, with the accused misbehaving with the women and pressuring them to share personal photographs under the false pretext of conducting auditions.
The accused also falsely claimed to be the CEO of a popular OTT platform to add credibility to his scheme, a Khar police officer revealed. Authorities are currently working to track the internet protocol (IP) address used to create the deceptive account.
A Pattern of Fraudulent Activity
This is not the first time Vikas Bahl has been targeted. In his police complaint, the filmmaker stated that he had reported a similar fake Instagram account to the platform in October 2024. That account was also being used to call people for auditions for a web series. Following his complaint, Instagram took that account down.
The problem persisted. In September of this year, a friend from Delhi alerted Bahl to yet another impersonator account. The situation escalated on November 15, when Bahl received a call from a woman who said she had been receiving messages for an audition from someone claiming to be him.
Victims Share Their Harrowing Experiences
As per the filed complaint, one woman met the accused at a mall in Ghatkopar on November 12. Her suspicions were raised during the meeting, and they were confirmed when the man later asked her to share a photo of herself in a bikini. She immediately realized she was dealing with an imposter.
In a separate incident, Bahl learned on November 28 about another victim. This woman had met the accused at a restaurant in Dadar on November 19, believing him to be a genuine industry contact. The accused then asked her to meet him in Powai on November 26 with her bank details to sign an agreement.
During a cab ride, the man touched her inappropriately. The woman reprimanded him, grew suspicious of his identity, and later managed to get in touch with Vikas Bahl's personal assistant, which ultimately led to the police complaint.
Police Investigation Underway
The Khar police have registered a case based on charges of impersonation and identity theft. The investigation is actively pursuing digital footprints to identify the culprit. This case highlights the growing risks of online impersonation and the exploitation of trusted names in the entertainment industry to prey on aspiring individuals.
Authorities urge the public to exercise extreme caution and verify the authenticity of social media profiles, especially when approached with offers that seem too good to be true. They recommend directly contacting known production houses or representatives through official channels to confirm any audition or job offer.
