MUMBAI: Online scams with celebrities are happening too frequently now and it’s sad that the entertainment industry has been targeted. 

A visibly upset Soniya recollects, "I recently experienced a situation where someone falsely claimed to be working on my behalf and took Rs 4 lakhs in my name as an advance payment for a job that was never even discussed. The organiser contacted me, claiming to have paid Rs 2 lakh as an advance, even though I hadn't received any money. Despite my reservations, they insisted on making the payment and even sent it to a different account number. It's concerning that they obtained my contact information through a common friend and deceived me into thinking they were legitimate. It's disheartening to see someone exploit my name and trust for their own gain. Going forward, I want to urge anyone considering working with me to communicate directly with me or my manager to avoid falling prey to such  scams. It's important to be cautious and vigilant to protect ourselves and our hard-earned money from such imposters.”

Soniya also adds,”Scams work because they look like the real thing and catch you off guard when you're not expecting it. Wrong people take advantage of new technology, new products or services and major events. They use them to create believable stories that convince you to give them your money or personal details.”