Kashif Zameer, accused of deceiving Ertugral’s Engin Altan, gets bail

• Kashif Zameer Chaudhry gets bail two days after being remanded into police custody.
  
• He allegedly sent fake bank drafts and cheques to Düzyatan worth Rs90 million.
• Police say at least six cases of fraud had already been registered against Chaudhry. 

LAHORE: TikToker Kashif Zameer Chaudhry — accused of scamming Turkish actor Engin Altan Düzyatan, best known for his role as Ertuğrul Bey in Diriliş: Ertuğrul — was granted bail in three separate cases on Tuesday.

The three cases against him — affixing a fake number plate on his car, installing revolving lights in his car, and possession of weapons — were registered after a probe into Chaudhry was opened at the request of the Turkish actor.

The actor had emailed the inspector general of Punjab requesting him to look into Chaudhry's "fraudulent activities".

The court granted Chaudhry bail in all three cases against bail bonds worth Rs100,000.

On Saturday, a court had handed over the TikToker to police on physical remand for two days.

On June 18, when the police had arrested him, Deputy Superintendent of Police of the Crime Investigation Agency (DSP CIA) Mian Shafqat had said: "The Turkish actor had sent a request to Inspector General (IG) Punjab via an email, asking him to register a case against Chaudhry for fraudulent activities, sending him fake cheques, and using his pictures without permission."

The DCP CIA further revealed that during a search, a vehicle with blue light and a green number plate was recovered from the the Tiktoker's house, adding that a case has also been registered against him on behalf of the Turkish actor at the Racecourse Police Station.

Chaudhry had allegedly sent fake bank drafts and cheques to Turkey worth Rs90 million, the DSP said, adding that a total of six cases pertaining to fraud have been registered against Kashif in police stations of Sialkot and Lahore, for which he was previously arrested too.

Who is Kashif Zameer Chaudhry?

Back in December 2020, the Kashif Zameer Chaudhry's name went viral after the man's photos with Altan were posted on social media.

Altan, who essayed the lead role of Ertugrul Ghazi in Diliris: Ertugrul, has amassed a large fan base in Pakistan. Naturally, his presence in Pakistan attracted attention and curiosity towards the man who brought him here.

The speculations heightened once Altan left the country and Kashif got arrested.

A TikToker or a fraud?

A famous TikToker, Kashif is known for his love of wearing heavy gold chains and keeping pet lions at home — for which he has been called out. Kashif claims to be the owner of the Chaudhry Group of Companies in Punjab and flaunts photographs with several politicians and celebrities.

Of police complaints and arrests

Kashif was arrested by the police on December 17, 2020. The authorities said that he was, at that time, nominated in at least eight cases of fraud and deception, betrayal of trust, car theft, and robbery. He also allegedly threatened a local TV anchor. It is, however, unclear as to when he was released from jail and on what account.

Deception and fraud: A million-dollar deal

Geo News reporter Zahid Shairwani said Kashif struck a $1 million deal with the Ertugrul star but handed over a $5,000 cheque — which bounced when Altan tried to cash it.

Following social media reports, the authorities said Kashif, his father, and his brother have been nominated in several other cases of a similar nature. Reportedly, the TikToker lives in a rented house in Lahore with the pet lion.

He also owes the jeweller money for those dazzling gold chains.