LUCKNOW, June 11 -- A multi-state credit and thrift cooperative society operating in Uttar Pradesh allegedly used the names of Bollywood actors to promote its schemes and win public trust, thus duping unsuspecting investors. A case in point is Lucknow's adjoining district Hardoi, where the society allegedly used the name of actor Shreyas Talpade to attract investors. The actor's name was also mentioned in the FIR filed at Shahabad police station on June 7 (Saturday), after the society allegedly disappeared with crores of rupees collected from investors, authorities said.

According to inspector, Shahbad police station, Brijesh Rai, local agent of the society Amar Singh filed an FIR against 16 people, including Talpade, under sections 419 ...