Mumbai : Bollywood actor-director Mahesh Thakur, proprietor of the film production company Kreative Flight Films Pvt Ltd, was duped of Rs. 5.4 crores, which he had paid to a lawyer from Haryana to bail him out of a property dispute. Oshiwara police registered an FIR against Mayank Goyal (34) on Tuesday based on a written complaint by Thakur (54).

Goyal, made the actor believe that he had done documentation at the high court and Supreme Court. “Goyal made Thakur part with money as his fees. To gain Thakur’s confidence, Goyal through online video conferences showed fake audio and video clips of court arguments and hearings,” said the officer of Oshiwara police station.

The fraud began in August 2021, according to police, when Goyal came in contact with Thakur, assuring him to getting out of the property dispute in the HC, SC and government department. “On the pretext of helping Goyal he collected money between August 2021 and September 2022, before he went into hiding and switched off his mobile,” said the officer.

Thakur confirmed the cheating by Goyal but declined to divulge details. He said the matter was major, was in the preliminary stages, and the arrest will open a big scam.

Thakur transferred the money to Goyal’s account through his and his friend’s accounts. After verifying Thakur’s written complaint filed last week, police registered the FIR. A team was formed to nab the lawyer. A case under Indian Penal Code sections 406 (breach of trust) and 420 (cheating) was been registered against Goyal.

Thakur has acted in many Bollywood films, TV serials, and web series. He authored the book ‘I-Quotes’, published in early 2021. He plays the main role in the web series ‘Modi Season 2: CM to PM’.