Kochi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioned actor Jayasurya as part of its probe into the alleged multi-crore ‘Save Box Bidding App’ investment fraud over his possible association with the controversial venture. 

According to sources, the central agency is examining whether Jayasurya had served as a brand ambassador for the Save Box App and whether any financial dealings took place between the actor and the app’s promoters. As part of the ongoing investigation, Jayasurya was earlier summoned and questioned on December 24. 

The case traces back to 2023, when the Thrissur East Police arrested Swadiq Rahim, a native of Thrissur and the owner of the Save Box App, on charges of allegedly defrauding investors of crores of rupees. Rahim is known to have maintained close links with many actors in the Malayalam film industry. 

Launched in 2019, Save Box was pitched as India’s first online auction-based investment platform. Its inauguration drew considerable attention, with several personalities from the film fraternity attending the event. Investigators allege that Rahim raised massive funds from the public by promising high returns through a range of proposed ventures, including auction-based sales of electronic gadgets, franchises for a delivery service named Save Box Express (modelled on Amazon), funding for start-ups, and even the launch of what was projected as India’s first crypto agency. 

One of the most striking claims under scrutiny is the promise of a monthly income of ₹5 lakh against an investment of just ₹25,000. Complaints began surfacing when investors allegedly failed to receive any of the promised returns, eventually leading to Rahim’s arrest. 

The ED, which has now taken over the financial investigation, is probing allegations that Rahim leveraged his proximity to film personalities to build public trust. ED suspect that photographs and public appearances with actors were used to lend credibility to the scheme. Rahim himself had acted in two films and co-produced another.

While several individuals from the film industry are said to have had professional or personal associations with Rahim, the agency’s focus, for now, is on determining whether Jayasurya played a promotional role for the Save Box App and whether any monetary transactions linked to the alleged fraud can be traced to him.