Pune, 4th March 2026: What began as a hopeful search for a life partner turned into a financial nightmare for a young man from Navi Mumbai after he allegedly lost ₹43 lakh in a matrimonial fraud.
The accused woman, who was staying in a housing society in the Katraj area of Pune, is alleged to have lured him with promises of marriage before threatening him with a rape complaint and demanding money.
According to police, the two met through a matrimonial website and gradually grew close. The woman reportedly promised to marry the man, and their relationship became intimate.
However, she later began demanding money, allegedly threatening to file a rape complaint if he refused. Fearing legal trouble and social stigma, the victim borrowed money, took loans and even mortgaged his sister’s jewellery to pay her.
In total, he transferred around ₹43 lakh to the accused. When she allegedly demanded an additional ₹7 lakh, the man approached the police. Unable to bear the mental harassment, he filed a complaint at Bharati Vidyapeeth Police Station on March 2.
Police say the incident reflects a broader trend of matrimonial fraud cases increasing in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Over the past six months, between September 2025 and February 2026, authorities have recorded around 30 to 35 such complaints, averaging five to six cases every month.
In several cases, the financial losses have ranged from ₹5 lakh to as high as ₹3.5 crore. Investigations indicate that fraudsters often target educated individuals and people from relatively affluent backgrounds. Widows, divorcees and young professionals working in the IT sector are among the most common victims.
One major case reported in June 2025 involved a highly educated woman from Pune who met a man on a matrimonial website. The accused introduced himself as the CEO of a reputed international company and built trust through frequent conversations over WhatsApp calls.
Eventually, he duped the woman of ₹3.16 crore before cyber police arrested three suspects in the case.
In another case registered at Chandan Nagar Police Station in February 2026, a 44-year-old woman lost ₹59.37 lakh after being contacted by someone using a fake profile named 'Dr Oberoi'.
The accused promised marriage and convinced her to invest in a business venture before disappearing with the money. Eight people were later booked in connection with the fraud.
Similarly, during September and October 2025, a Jaipur-based man allegedly posed as an unmarried individual on a matrimonial website and cheated a woman in Pune both financially and physically.
Police investigations show that the fraudsters typically create fake profiles portraying themselves as doctors, engineers, NRIs or senior corporate executives. After gaining the victim’s trust, they build an emotional connection before asking for money.
In some cases, they claim to have sent expensive gifts from abroad and demand payment for customs clearance. In others, they cite sudden illness or business losses to urgently request financial help. Some victims are also threatened with legal consequences or false allegations to extort money.
A Pune police officer said, “Citizens should not transfer money to anyone they meet on matrimonial websites without verifying their identity. Financial dealings should be avoided until families are introduced and proper background checks are done.”
Police have also urged people to immediately report threats or suspicious financial demands. Victims can file complaints through the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or on the official portal www.cybercrime.gov.in, apart from approaching the nearest police station.
Authorities also advised matrimonial website platforms to ensure stronger verification processes before allowing users to create profiles, as online relationship scams continue to rise across the region.
