In an unusual case of online fraud, a man in Chhattisgarh has been exposed for receiving Rs 1,000 monthly from the state government’s Mahatari Vandan Yojana using the name of Bollywood actress Sunny Leone. The scheme aims to support maternal health, but a startling revelation showed its misuse.

According to a report by The Indian Express, the fraudulent beneficiary’s details were uncovered during a routine scan of the Mahatari Vandan Yojana website. The records listed ‘Sunny Leone’ as the beneficiary, with her ‘husband’ identified as ‘Johnny Sins’—both names being infamous in popular culture.

The application, reportedly filed at the Anganwadi level in the Talur sector of Bastar district, was approved and verified by both Anganwadi workers and a supervising officer. The fraudster successfully received the monthly benefit for ten months, from March to December, before the irregularity came to light.

Bastar Collector Haris S has confirmed that an investigation is underway. “We are looking into the matter,” he stated, signaling the administration’s commitment to address the lapse. A senior police official from Bastar added that appropriate action would be taken if the district administration files a formal complaint.

The incident sparked political controversy, with Chhattisgarh Congress president Deepak Baij accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of favoritism. In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), Baij alleged that BJP supporters were benefiting from the scheme under fraudulent identities. “Mahatari Vandan money is going to BJP’s favourites in the name of Sunny Leone,” his post claimed.