Pune: Woman Duped of Rs 3.16 Crore in Shaadi.com Matrimonial Scam; Three Arrested
Pimpri-Chinchwad, 11th June 2025: In a major case of cyber fraud, a well-educated woman from Pimpri-Chinchwad was conned out of ₹3.16 crore after being misled with a promise of marriage through the matrimonial website Shaadi.com. The Pimpri-Chinchwad Cyber Police have arrested three individuals from the Delhi-Haryana border, while the key mastermind behind the elaborate scam remains at large.
A Deceptive Relationship
According to officials, the victim had been actively seeking a life partner on Shaadi.com when she was contacted by a man posing as the CEO of a reputed international firm. Over the months, their relationship grew through frequent WhatsApp calls and messages, culminating in a mutual decision to marry.
The accused then began exploiting the victim’s trust by fabricating a series of emotional stories — including medical emergencies, debt repayments, and urgent financial troubles. Persuaded by his false narratives, the woman transferred large sums of money to various accounts between 2023 and 2024.
A Complex Network of Bank Accounts
Cyber investigators revealed that the fraudsters used 81 bank accounts to route the money, with 11 accounts linked to a single address. The three arrested suspects — Ranjeet Munnalal Yadav, Sikandar Munna Khan, and Bablu Raghuveer Yadav — allegedly assisted the main perpetrator by providing their bank accounts and withdrawing money from ATMs as instructed.
“Bablu was specifically involved in cash withdrawals, acting on the directions of the main accused,” said an officer. Investigators also confirmed that the group communicated regularly through Instagram calls to avoid detection.
Widespread Investigation Underway
So far, police have verified 300 to 400 bank accounts possibly linked to the scam. The arrests were made under the guidance of Senior Police Inspector Ravindra Nale, with the operation led by Assistant Police Inspector Pravin Swami and his cybercrime unit.
Police Advisory
The Cyber Police have issued a strong advisory urging the public to exercise extreme caution on matrimonial platforms. Users are advised to thoroughly verify identities and avoid sharing personal or financial details until complete trust is established through legitimate means.
