Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova, former world number 1, appears in an investigation into an alleged real estate scam in India, a lawyer close to the case told AFP on Tuesday.
Following the complaint by injured buyers, the Indian police opened an investigation into an unsuccessful project for a luxury tower in Gurgaon, New Delhi’s satellite city, known as ‘Ballet by Sharapova’, which the winner of five tournaments of the Grand Slam lent his image.
Sharapova traveled to India in 2012 to launch the project. The developers received millions of euros from people who bought apartments. In addition, the complex had to house a tennis training center and sports shops.
Its completion was scheduled for 2016, but was eventually abandoned by its promoters.
“Any celebrity who sustains a product becomes technically an agent of society. No one would have invested in the project without Sharapova’s name behind it, “Piyush Singh, a lawyer for one of the buyers who have denounced the case, told AFP.
New Delhi police could not be reached for comment on the investigation. A call to the real estate company, Homestead Infrastructure Development Pvt Ltd., was also unsuccessful, according to Singh.
Sharapova, 30, won her first WTA tournament last month following her return in April, after serving a 15-month sanction for doping.
According to Forbes magazine, he made $ 30 million in 2015, 23 of which for the rights to use his image for projects like Gurgaon.