A Bhopal-based dermatologist, Dr. Abhinit Gupta, was allegedly cheated of ₹10 lakh by a man posing as an event director who promised him a "backdoor entry" into the popular reality TV show Bigg Boss. The accused, identified as Karan Singh alias Prince, approached Dr. Gupta in October 2022, claiming to be an event director with strong connections in the television industry.

According to the police, Dr. Gupta, who runs the Poison Anti-Aging Skin Clinic in Bhopal, was lured by Singh's promise of securing his participation in Bigg Boss through unofficial channels. Singh allegedly told Dr. Gupta that the process would involve expenses of around ₹50 lakh, and he demanded ₹10 lakh in advance to facilitate the selection process. Trusting Singh's assurances, Dr. Gupta paid him the advance sum with the expectation of being part of the show's contestant lineup.

However, when the official list of contestants was announced, Dr. Gupta's name was nowhere to be found. Upon confronting Singh, Dr. Gupta was initially told that the entry would happen through a "backdoor process". As time passed and his entry into the show never materialized, Dr. Gupta began demanding a refund. Singh allegedly started avoiding his calls and eventually switched off his phone completely.

Realizing he had been duped, Dr. Gupta filed a complaint at the Chunabhatti police station in July 2023. The police have registered a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust against Karan Singh and have initiated an investigation into the matter. Authorities are preparing to send a team to Mumbai to arrest the accused.

This incident highlights the growing trend of fraudsters using deceptive tactics to exploit individuals' desires for fame and recognition. In this case, the accused took advantage of Dr. Gupta's aspiration to enter the entertainment industry, preying on his trust and extracting a significant sum of money.

It is crucial for individuals to exercise caution and conduct thorough due diligence before engaging with individuals who offer seemingly lucrative opportunities, especially those involving unofficial channels or backdoor entries. Verifying the credentials and connections of individuals, seeking independent advice, and avoiding upfront payments can help prevent such scams.

The police investigation is ongoing, and efforts are underway to trace and apprehend the accused. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity to the authorities.