Case 2: Mumbai Woman Trapped in Fake Business Investment Scam

A 41-year-old woman from Andheri, Mumbai, was allegedly duped of ₹55 lakh by a man she met on a matrimonial website in October of the previous year.

Step 1: False Identity and Trust-Building

The fraudster, Samarth Bhaindarkar, introduced himself as an employee of a private online shopping company, claiming to earn ₹75,000 per month. He also fabricated a wealthy background, stating that his family owned multiple businesses in Daman.

Step 2: Fake Business Proposal

After gaining the victim’s trust, he convinced her to become his business partner in a mobile business venture. Under the pretext of securing their financial future together, he urged her to invest money into the business.

Step 3: Escalating Financial Demands

The victim, believing in the relationship and business opportunity, transferred multiple payments totaling ₹55 lakh. However, once the money was transferred, Samarth started avoiding communication and eventually disappeared.

Step 4: Realization and Police Complaint

Realizing she had been scammed, the victim reported the fraud to the police, leading to an investigation and a case being registered against the accused.

Case 4: Nagpur Woman Loses ₹3.32 Lakh to Fake Gift Scam

A woman from Nagpur met a man on a matrimonial site who claimed he was sending her a car as a gift from Poland. The only issue was that he needed her help to pay ₹3.32 lakh in customs duty to have it released from the customs department. She sent the money to the bank account number shared by the man in Poland. Once he received the money, the communication went cold. After realizing she had been scammed, she filed a complaint with the Ajni police station in Nagpur.

Case 6: Bride Runs Away with Money After Marriage

In a rare case where men became victims, Pune police busted a gang of nine women and two men who cheated several over-aged men by promising them marriage. The scheme involved introducing men to a seemingly pretty and well-mannered bride from a poor family. After the marriage, the bride would flee with all the jewelry and cash just before the honeymoon.

Similarly, last year, Jabalpur police arrested a 28-year-old woman who allegedly cheated eight men using the same method. She married them and fled with their assets within a few days. Investigations revealed that her so-called ‘relatives’ were also part of the scam.

Matrimonial Fraud by Manoj Gahlyan

Background: In a shocking turn of events, 35-year-old Manoj Gahlyan, a security guard in Delhi, was arrested for defrauding hundreds of women through matrimonial websites. Posing as a high-ranking official or senior executive, Gahlyan used fake profiles to gain the trust of women seeking marriage, only to manipulate them into revealing financial details under the guise of forming a relationship.

Modus Operandi:

• Initial Contact: Gahlyan, posing as a wealthy and influential professional, engaged women through matrimonial sites, presenting a fabricated persona.
• Building Trust: He would meet women and spin elaborate stories, gaining their trust by claiming he held prestigious jobs and earned a high income.
• Financial Exploitation: After establishing rapport, he would coax women into providing their bank account and credit card details, eventually siphoning money from their accounts.
• Disappearing Act: Once he drained their finances, Gahlyan would delete his profiles and move on to the next victim.

Investigation and Arrest: Following a complaint by one of the victims in November 2024, a cyber team under the Delhi Police’s Cyber Cell initiated an investigation. During the probe, multiple fake profiles linked to Gahlyan were discovered, showcasing different identities, including a high-ranking government official and a senior executive at Delhi Metro. He was arrested in December 2024 in Usmanpur, Delhi.

Challenges and Victims’ Reluctance: The police investigation uncovered that Gahlyan had targeted over 50 women, but many were hesitant to come forward due to fear of social stigma. The victims, some of whom had relationships with Gahlyan for months, were reluctant to report the incidents, making the investigation challenging.

Conclusion: Manoj Gahlyan’s fraudulent activities highlight the vulnerability of individuals on matrimonial sites and the need for increased awareness and security measures. This case also emphasizes the challenges law enforcement faces when victims hesitate to report due to societal pressures.