Matrimonial Scam: Two Arrested for Duping Divorced Women on Pretext of Marriage

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Law Enforcement Cracks Down on Matrimonial Scam Targeting Divorced Women

A recent operation by the Parliament Street police has led to the arrest of two individuals accused of orchestrating a matrimonial scam that preyed on divorced women. The suspects, Abhinav Singh and Karan Sharma, allegedly used online matrimonial platforms to target their victims, posing as well-settled men seeking serious marriage alliances.

Complaint and Investigation

According to the police, the scam came to light after a 35-year-old woman from Panipat, Haryana, filed a complaint on February 17. The victim had met Singh on a matrimonial website, and after gaining her trust, he convinced her to hand over her gold bangles and chain for “safekeeping” during a meeting at a religious place. Singh then fled with the jewellery, the victim’s mobile phones, and a bag containing documents.

An investigation was launched, and police analyzed footage from over 200 CCTV cameras, utilizing local intelligence inputs and technical surveillance to track down the suspects. The accused were eventually apprehended during a raid, and a search of their possessions yielded gold jewellery worth several lakh rupees, ₹64,000 in cash, two mobile phones, and a car used in the crime.

Further Investigation and Arrests

Further investigation revealed that the stolen jewellery had been pledged at a “cash for gold” shop in Malviya Nagar for approximately ₹3 lakh, with Singh receiving ₹1 lakh. The shop owner is also being questioned by the police.

During interrogation, Singh confessed to targeting divorced women across multiple states, including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Delhi. He would typically pose as a well-settled man seeking a serious marriage alliance, gain the victim’s confidence, and then flee with jewellery and cash during meetings. Sharma, a cab driver, acted as an accomplice by providing a car with a fake number plate and assisting Singh in escaping after committing the crime.

Warning to the Public

The police suspect that the duo may have cheated several other women and are working to identify additional victims. Authorities have advised the public to exercise caution when engaging with online matrimonial matches, recommending that initial meetings take place in public areas and that individuals never hand over jewellery, cash, or documents to someone they have met online.

The investigation is ongoing, with police examining the accused’s criminal history, bank accounts, and digital data to uncover other instances of fraud. Citizens are urged to report any suspicious behaviour immediately to prevent further instances of this scam.