Gambiaj.com – (BENGALURU, India) – The Gambia has unexpectedly surfaced in a high-profile cheating case involving Arun Rai, a Tulu film producer from India, as one of the countries where Rai allegedly claimed to have lucrative business investments. The case, filed by a businessman from Bantwal, India, has sparked curiosity in The Gambia due to its mention as part of a narrative used to solicit investments.

Arun Rai, producer of the Tulu film Jeetige, has been booked by the Bengaluru police alongside four associates under various charges, including cheating, forgery, and criminal intimidation. The complaint, lodged by T. Varadaraju, details allegations of fraud amounting to over ₹9 crore (approximately $1.08 million).

According to the complaint, Varadaraju met Rai in 2022 at a luxury hotel in Bengaluru, where the producer allegedly presented himself as a successful entrepreneur with investments spanning Dubai, The Gambia, Malaysia, and Uzbekistan. The complainant stated that Rai took him on a tour of commercial establishments in Bengaluru, claiming ownership, and described a purported investment partnership with an individual linked to Elon Musk.

Rai allegedly convinced Varadaraju, a cashew processing businessman who had suffered significant losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, to invest in his ventures by promising hefty returns. However, after receiving the investment in multiple installments, Rai reportedly severed all contact with Varadaraju.

The inclusion of The Gambia in Rai’s claims raises questions about the veracity of his alleged international business operations. While no Gambian authorities have been mentioned or implicated or involved in the investigation, the mention of the country underscores its emerging role in global investment narratives—both legitimate and otherwise.

The Bengaluru police have now launched a manhunt for Rai and his associates, including his brother Arjun Rai and three others. Investigators are probing the scope of the alleged fraud and the authenticity of Rai’s claims about his overseas ventures.

This case highlights the need for vigilance about investors globally, as well as the potential reputational risks for nations like The Gambia when named in such controversies. The Gambia may need to collaborate if further evidence links the accused to Gambian businesses or individuals.