Australian ‘Doctor’ Turns Out to Be Indian Fraudster in Rs 3.6 Cr Shaadi.com Scam, Had Contacted Over 3,000 Women
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 26th June 2025: In a chilling case of online deception and emotional exploitation, Pune Cyber Police have arrested a 42-year-old international fraudster for allegedly duping a Delhi-based woman of ₹3.6 crore under the pretext of marriage and international business investment.
The accused, who posed as an Australian doctor named “Dr. Rohit Oberoi,” was apprehended at Mumbai Airport earlier this week, revealing a deep and sophisticated web of cyber fraud operating across continents.
A Romance Turned Scam
The victim, who had moved to Pune’s Kharadi area post-divorce and received ₹5 crore in alimony, had created a profile on Shaadi.com in 2023 in search of a life partner. Through her profile (Shaadi.com ID: SH87341231), she was contacted by a man claiming to be Dr. Rohit Oberoi, an Australian citizen of Indian origin. Their online acquaintance quickly developed into a long-distance relationship built on trust, with promises of marriage and shared dreams of launching a global mindfulness and spirituality initiative for children.
However, beneath this emotional façade lay a calculated scam.
A Carefully Orchestrated Conspiracy
According to Cyber Police, the accused—who has since been identified as Abhishek Sharadchandra Shukla, a native of Lucknow and currently residing in Perth, Australia—learned about the victim’s financial situation and convinced her to invest in an alleged international expansion of her business. With the help of two associates, Yvonne Handyani and Vincent Kuan, Shukla manipulated the woman into transferring funds totalling ₹3.60 crore to bank accounts in India and Singapore over time.
To add a further layer of deceit, Shukla staged a series of fake emergencies—including claims of being diagnosed with mouth cancer—before abruptly cutting off communication. In September 2024, the woman received an email from an associate claiming Shukla had died. Suspicious of the sudden silence and elaborate storyline, she confided in a friend, who encouraged her to report the incident.
Arrest and Investigation
The victim reported the matter on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and contacted Cyber Police Station Pune, leading to an investigation under BNS Sections 319(1), 319(2), 318(1), 318(2), 318(4), and Section 66(C) of the Information Technology Act.
Senior Police Inspector Swapnali Shinde, heading the probe, confirmed that technical analysis uncovered Shukla’s true identity.
Upon learning of his travel plans, a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued. Pune Cyber Police arrested Shukla at Mumbai Airport following his arrival from Singapore. He is currently in police custody, and investigations are ongoing.
A Pattern of Predation
What makes this case more alarming is the scale of Shukla’s online deception. Investigators revealed that using the same alias and profile, he had contacted over 3,194 women on Shaadi.com alone. Authorities suspect that several more women may have been similarly defrauded and are now urging victims to come forward.
Police Appeal and Cautionary Measures
Under the leadership of Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, Joint CP Ranjan Kumar Sharma, Additional CP (Crime) Pankaj Deshmukh, and DCP (Cyber & Economic) Vivek Masal, Pune Police issued an urgent advisory for women using matrimonial platforms:
Verify Identity Thoroughly: Women approached by a user named “Dr. Rohit Oberoi” (profile no. SH87341231) on matrimonial sites are urged to contact Pune Cyber Police at 7058719371 / 75.
Avoid Financial Transactions: Never transfer money based on emotional appeals, especially from someone claiming to be abroad or falsely detained at airports/customs.
Report Immediately: Victims of online financial fraud should report at https://cybercrime.gov.in or call helpline 1930 / 1945.
The investigation team included Police Sub-Inspector Sushil Damre, police personnel Balasaheb Chavan, Sandeep Mundhe, Navnath Konde, Satish Mandhare, Sandeep Yadav, Sandeep Pawar, Amol Kadam and Sachin Shinde.
