Pune, 3rd March 2026: A shocking case of online matrimonial fraud has come to light in Tathawade, where a woman was cheated of ₹42,64,032 by a man posing as a scientist from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The fraud took place between November 27, 2024 and January 30, 2025.
According to police, the accused created a fake profile on a matrimonial website using a false identity. He contacted the victim online and introduced himself as an ISRO scientist. Gaining her trust over time, he promised to marry her and began asking for money under various pretexts.
Believing his claims, the woman transferred ₹42.64 lakh in multiple transactions. When she later realized she had been cheated, she filed a complaint on the cyber crime portal.
Following the complaint, ₹16,64,032 was successfully recovered and returned to the victim. However, the accused allegedly defrauded her of ₹27 lakh, which is yet to be recovered.
Based on the victim’s complaint, a case has been registered at Wakad Police Station against a person from Raigad district. Police are currently investigating the matter further.