Abhishek Makwana, who committed suicide on 27th November by hanging himself in his flat at Kandivli in Bombay, mentioned in a suicide note, personal and financial problems as the reasons for ending his life. The family of the writer of such TV serials as Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, has alleged that he was a victim of cyber fraud and blackmail. Abhishek had reportedly taken a cyber loan from people operating an easy loan app which charged interest rates as high as 30%. The lenders kept sending him more money without his consent, thereby adding to his loan amount. The deceased’s family members and friends have also been getting phone calls from the cyber fraudsters after his death, asking them to repay the money he had borrowed as he had allegedly made them guarantors of the loan. The callers use multiple telephone numbers, registered in countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar, and also in different states of India.
According to Abhishek’s Ahmedabad-based brother, Jenis, Abhishek may have taken a small loan from one of the easy loan apps which charge a very high rate of interest. Texts on Abhishek’s cell phone show that he was being blackmailed for repayment.