Delhi Police Busts Fake Child Modeling Scam That Defrauded Nearly 200 Parents

In a major crackdown, Delhi Police arrested two individuals in October for allegedly orchestrating a fraudulent child modeling scheme that swindled at least 197 people. The scam, branded as ‘Lotus Star Kids,’ lured parents with promises of lucrative modeling assignments and brand endorsements for their children. The scheme was exposed when a woman from Dwarka, who had lost Rs 5 lakh, reported it to the authorities after responding to a Facebook ad and being directed to a Telegram group where the scammers operated, according to a TOI report.

The victim revealed that the scam was cleverly advertised on social media, with images of cheerful children modeling for well-known brands. “Their ads were everywhere, and when I clicked, they quickly replied, claiming my daughter was exactly what they were looking for,” she recounted. To build credibility, the fraudsters showcased fake testimonials and well-known brand names, convincing parents to invest through a points system. Initially, they offered small returns to gain the victims’ trust, later prompting them to increase their investments.

Following a thorough investigation, authorities traced the scam’s financial trail across numerous accounts, ultimately locating the suspects in a small dwelling in Nangloi, Delhi. DCP (Dwarka) Ankit Singh noted that the scammers targeted parents who shared their children’s photos online. Police seized over Rs 4.7 crore, and the investigation is ongoing to uncover the scam’s full extent.

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