Retired Group Captain and wife cheated of Rs 8 lakh with promise of audition for child

BENGALURU: A retired Group Captain of the Indian Air Force and his wife were cheated of Rs 8 lakh with the promise of an audition of their child by a group called ‘ZARA kids’.

ZARA Kids India reportedly organised an audition for children with the title ‘ZARA Kids, India for OREO BISCUITS’ audition in Orion Mall. They promised that the couple’s child would get a chance to act alongside popular actors Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna and MS Dhoni’s daughter.

They duped the retired group captain couple by taking Rs 8 lakh under the pretext of photo‑shoot and audition fees. A complaint has been filed against Dr Avinash Gupta and Akshay.

ZARA Kids offered that they are looking for beautiful children and to send them for auditions. They told the couple that the audition would be held on October 27 after an introduction on October 19. After the audition, they claimed, their children would be selected to act with Rashmika Mandanna, Allu Arjun and MS Dhoni’s daughter Jeeva.

ZARA Kids CEO Avinash Gupta, the accused, approached the Group Captain’s family and took money by saying it was for a processing fee, photoshoot, etc., over a period of time. The retired Group Captain gave the money, hoping his children would act with star actors.

Later, they told the family that a flight would take themfrom HAL to Mumbai and asked them to come to Leela Palace beforehand. From the morning of October 31 until 4 pm the parents waited, got exhausted, and called ZARA Kids staff, but the phone was switched off. It was then that the couple realised they had been cheated.

The Group Captain called in 1930 and gave the information. A complaint was lodged at Subramanyanagar police station and the police are now searching for the accused, who are currently absconding.