"the media has destroyed my life"
Assamese actress Sumi Borah and her husband have been arrested for their alleged involvement in an online stock trading scam.
The couple were arrested by the Special Task Force and were later handed over to police in Dibrugarh.
The scam is worth an estimated Rs. 2,200 Crore (£200 million).
SP Rakesh Reddy said: “The STF has handed over both of them to the police over the case registered in Dibrugarh Sadar police station related to the trading scam.”
A further investigation will be conducted and take statements from Sumi Borah and her husband Tarkik.
Reportedly in operation for three years, the scam involved investing money collected from clients in “shares” of companies with the promise of almost double the return in 60 days.
The money was allegedly invested in some private unlisted companies through “cosmetic accounting”, which is manipulating financial reports to align with specific interests.
After being on the run for 11 days, the couple were arrested in Dibrugarh after a lookout notice was issued against the duo, the actress’ brother and her sister-in-law.
Police made a breakthrough when they arrested Tarkik’s brother Amlan in Bihar.
His arrest is a major development in unravelling the extent of the couple’s alleged involvement in the scam.
A few hours later, Sumi – who is also an influencer – announced her decision to surrender.
Denying her involvement, she claimed she was a victim of a media trial.
She said: “Less than 10% of what is being reported is true.
“Even before the court has had a chance to prove me guilty, the media has destroyed my life with its allegations.”
Sumi added that the mental stress made her flee her home.
The scam was exposed earlier in September 2024 when police arrested Bishal Phukan, who allegedly defrauded more than 1,500 people.
Some investors claimed they took bank loans of up to Rs. 15 Lakh (£14,000) to invest in an app run by Phukan and his associate Swapnanil Das.
The online traders initially returned the small invested amounts along with 30-50% interest but stopped after clients, lured by the profit, began investing larger sums.
According to investigators, Phukan spent a lot of the ill-gotten gains on the actress.
This included funding her wedding in Udaipur, Rajasthan.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma advised the people not to fall into fraudsters’ traps when authorised agencies handle stockbroking through demat accounts.
He said: “It is not acceptable for somebody to take away your hard-earned money.
“You must have seen such fraudsters maintaining a lavish lifestyle. This is the investors’ money.”
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