Mumbai: The police have booked three persons for allegedly making Rs 4.5 crore through crowd funding scam in the name of a child. According to the complainant Arif Sheikh, who runs Navtarang Charitable Trust, Piyush Jain of Impact Guru crowd funding app and parents of a four-year-old child, Nikhat Khan and Naufil Kazi, had allegedly put out a video appeal on social media claiming that the kid was suffering from a rare disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

They reportedly claimed that the child was admitted to Hinduja Hospital in Mahim. The appeal was made in the name of actress Sana Khan, who was unaware that her name was being used. They said the treatment would cost Rs 17 crores and managed to collect Rs 4.5 crore by posting a video on social media for medical expenses. Many believed the appeal to be genuine and donated Rs 4.5 crore.

When the parents approached Sheikh for help he felt that something was wrong. He checked with Hinduja Hospital and came to know that no such child was admitted there. He then filed a complaint at Matunga police station.

According to Sheikh the alleged fraud took place between January and June 2024. Piyush Jain, allegedly conspired with Nikhat Khan and Naufil Kazi to create a fake story of four-month-old baby suffering from a serious disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy and the baby has been admitted to Hinduja Hospital for treatment.

A video was created, appealing for help, saying that Rs 17 crore was required for the baby's medical treatment. This video was uploaded on social media and an appeal was made for help. The video was uploaded on January 11, 2024, on an Instagram account in the name of actress Sana Khan, asking for help.

The girl's father met Sheikh and demanded help. Sheikh became suspicious and inquired at Hinduja Hospital, but found that no such baby was admitted for treatment. He also found out that the monies raised were not deposited into Hinduja Hospital's account but in personal accounts.

It was revealed that the collected amount was used for his own benefit instead of using it for the baby's treatment. Finally, Sheikh approached the court. The court has ordered the Matunga police to register a case in this matter and investigate. Accordingly, the police have registered a case against Nikhat Khan, Naufil Kazi and Piyush Jain on the complaint of Sheikh. Jain was not available for comment.