His modeling career failed, so he duped others of lakhs
He wanted to be a model and had invested lakhs in it, but couldn't make any breakthrough. So he planned to cheat aspiring models to recover the costs, and had collected a stunning Rs. 25L since June. 22-year-old Viraj Roy's luck however ran out when a DU student-cum-model complained against him, resulting in his arrest. His wife, also his accomplice, is being questioned too.
Viraj and his wife, another wannabe model, gathered contact details of prospective victims through social media pages and WhatsApp groups. They would then text the person, informing them of photoshoot details, payment etc. claiming payment will be made in euros, since the agency is Dutch. Viraj then booked rooms in five-star hotels for 'signing of contracts.'
Once the candidate arrived, Viraj alias Shubham would introduce himself as a casting director for a fictitious company, 'Dream for Success.' He then consolidated his claims by saying he can arrange for roles in short films and fashion events, apart from photoshoots. As talks progressed, he would ask the candidates to share their bank details, pretending it is the agency's demand.
Once they shared the bank details, Viraj directed them to the photoshoot room, asking for their mobile phones and wallets, assuring they would be safe with him. Sensing an opportune moment, he fled with the belongings and also transferred money from their accounts through UPI to his bank account. He had duped almost 15 models this way, including 12 women.
Vasant Kunj police station did receive a bunch of complaints against him in July, but only sprung into action when the Delhi University student complained. The student, a part of his college's fashion society, was promised Rs. 3L for a three-day shoot. He too like others was asked to share the six digits of his ATM card and give up his mobile phone.
Viraj, now behind bars, faces charges under IPC section 420, said DCP (Southwest) Devender Arya. Four mobile phones, five SIM cards and several plastic cards belonging to the victims were recovered from him. Arya said Roy, a resident of Ranhola, had worked in low-budget photoshoots and fashion events. When sufficient money didn't come in, he took to crime, inspired by a Bollywood movie.
