In a case of online matrimonial fraud, the Neral Police in Thane arrested a 33-year-old man, Sumit Saini, for allegedly cheating several women out of lakhs of rupees under the false pretense of marriage. The arrest was made following a complaint from a 35-year-old woman who had been defrauded by Saini.
According to police officials, Saini, a habitual criminal, was using multiple fake profiles on various matrimonial sites and social media platforms to deceive women. He posed as a prospective suitor, promising marriage, and extorted money from his victims by using various manipulative tactics.
The victim from Neral stated that she connected with Saini through a matrimonial website last year. As they developed a relationship, Saini expressed romantic interest, and they began communicating regularly. Over time, he manipulated her into sending intimate pictures and coerced her into giving him money under different pretexts related to his personal and family needs.
The woman was shocked to learn that Saini had misrepresented himself—he was already married and had provided false details about his background. After realizing she had been deceived, she approached the Neral Police and filed a complaint.
Police Inspector Shivaji Dhavle immediately launched an investigation. Investigating Officer Prachi Pange tracked down Saini, who was arrested within two days of the complaint being filed. During the investigation, the police discovered that Saini had used this same modus operandi to target multiple women, extorting large sums of money by creating fake profiles with altered pictures and details tailored for each victim.
According to the police, Saini had targeted numerous women, taking advantage of their trust and emotional vulnerabilities. He is now in police custody for further questioning, and the authorities are gathering additional evidence against him to prosecute the accused for multiple instances of cheating and extortion.
The Neral Police have urged people to be cautious while engaging with online profiles, especially on matrimonial sites, and to be wary of individuals who ask for money under suspicious circumstances. They also emphasized the importance of verifying the identity of people met online before entering into any financial or emotional commitments.