Pune: Man Pose as ISRO Scientist on Matrimony Portal to Cheat Woman of Rs 26.5 Lakh, Arrested
Pune, 22nd April 2026: Pune Police have busted an alleged matrimonial fraud racket and arrested a 34-year-old man accused of posing as an ISRO scientist on a matrimonial website to cheat a woman of Rs 26.5 lakh on the pretext of marriage.
The accused has been identified as Adarsh Prashant Mhatre (34), who allegedly used multiple aliases including Swapnil Warule, Hemant Gaikar and Jayesh Patil. He is a resident of Alibag in Raigad district and was also operating from Turbhe, Rasayani and Panvel areas.
According to police, the accused created a fake profile on a matrimonial platform claiming to be a scientist with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He approached the complainant with a marriage proposal and allegedly gained her trust by promising to bear the full cost of her daughter’s education.
Police said he then persuaded the woman to take loans and transferred money to him, resulting in an online fraud of Rs 26.5 lakh.
Based on the complaint, a case was registered at Yerawada Police Station on January 10, 2026, under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act.
During the investigation, police learnt that the accused was arrested by Rabale Police Station in Navi Mumbai on February 26, 2026, in another cyber fraud case registered there and he was currently in their custody.
After completing legal formalities and obtaining custody through court procedure, Yerawada Police formally arrested him in the present case on April 15.
Police have recovered Rs 21 lakh from the bank account allegedly used by the accused to carry out the fraud.
The investigation is being led by Police Inspector (Crime) Vijay Thakar of Yerawada Police Station.
