Corona: Indian-origin financier held in $100 million bank fraud as Bollywood actor survives gym attack

An Indian-born financier based in Southern California was arrested on allegations of orchestrating a nearly $100 million bank fraud through falsified insurance records and real-estate collateral manipulation. Separately, Bollywood actor Aman Dhaliwal survived a violent attack at a Corona gym, where bystanders intervened to subdue his armed assailant.

Indian-origin financier arrested in $100 million bank fraud

Mahender Makhijani, a 44-year-old Indian-born US Green Card holder, was arrested at his Corona del Mar residence in Southern California on federal bank fraud charges. Prosecutors allege he defrauded a federally insured bank out of nearly $100 million by manipulating title insurance documents to falsely inflate his company claims over real-estate collateral. Makhijani controlled Newport Beach-based Cantor Group V LLC, which maintained a lending relationship with the defrauded bank. Court documents allege he engineered a scheme in which falsified records made it appear his firm held stronger rights to property assets than it actually did, allowing him to secure tens of millions of dollars in financing. His lifestyle stood in stark contrast to the alleged deception: prosecutors say he spent lavishly on private jets, designer clothing, and high-end luxury vehicles including Bentleys. The case reportedly also involves allegations that he threatened witnesses. If convicted on all counts, Makhijani faces up to 30 years in federal prison. The arrest brought renewed attention to financial fraud allegations involving members of the South Asian business community active in Southern California real-estate and lending markets. [2]

Bollywood actor Aman Dhaliwal attacked with hatchet at Corona gym

Bollywood actor Aman Dhaliwal, 36, a resident of Corona, California, was the victim of a violent attack at a Planet Fitness gym in the city. Dhaliwal has more than a dozen films and television shows to his credit in Indian cinema. The attack began in the gym parking lot when Dhaliwal filmed Ronald Chand, 30, of Santa Ana, behaving erratically in his vehicle. Police say Chand became upset over being recorded, blocked Dhaliwal with his car, then attacked him with a knife in one hand and a hatchet in the other. Dhaliwal fled inside the gym but Chand followed. Witnesses described hearing screaming before finding the armed man holding Dhaliwal while he was bleeding. In a moment caught on camera, Dhaliwal waited for the attacker to be distracted, knocked at the weapons, and pushed him back. Four bystanders held Chand down until police arrived. Dhaliwal was hospitalized with numerous injuries and later discharged to a nearby hotel to recover. Chand pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon and was held on one million dollars bail. Police said the two did not appear to know each other and witnesses believed the suspect may have been under the influence of drugs. [3]

Sources: [2] gulfnews.com · [3] ABC7 Los Angeles