Kochi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday questioned Malayalam actor Jayasurya in connection with the Save Box investment scam, marking his second appearance before the agency in the case. The interrogation, currently in progress at the ED’s Kochi office, centres on his agreement to serve as the brand ambassador for the online auction application. Jayasurya’s wife also accompanied him to the ED office.

According to officials, the actor was summoned after investigators obtained information that he had signed a promotional contract with the company behind the app. The ED is examining whether any financial transactions or endorsements linked to the agreement played a role in the alleged fraud.

The Save Box case traces back to the arrest of the company’s owner, Swathiq Rahim in January 2023. Rahim, the prime accused, was taken into custody by Thrissur East Police following a complaint from a Kizhakkekotta resident who claimed he was deceived with false assurances of a franchise opportunity under the Save Box brand.

Investigators later found that Rahim had allegedly collected substantial sums from members of the public by promising extraordinarily high monthly returns, reportedly up to ₹25 lakh. More than a hundred people are believed to have invested in the scheme. As payouts and refunds failed to materialise, complaints rapidly mounted, prompting a wider probe into the company’s operations.

Save Box is a company that operates online auctions, and it had also launched a mobile application under the same name. The company claimed that users could purchase electronic gadgets at low prices through online auctions. To participate in these auctions, users had to buy virtual coins offered by Save Box and use those coins to place bids.

Save Box was promoted as India’s first auction-based mobile app. Swathiq Rahim allegedly defrauded several people by promising them franchises and shares of Save Box. There were also allegations that he had deceived film celebrities by giving them old iPhones fitted with new casings.