Special Correspondent
Pune: In a shocking case of online matrimonial fraud, Pune Cyber Police have arrested an Australian citizen of Indian origin for allegedly duping a woman of ₹3.60 crore by posing as a potential groom on a matrimonial website. The accused, identified as Abhishek Shukla, had been living in India since the COVID-19 pandemic and was arrested upon arrival at Mumbai airport from Singapore. The court has remanded him to five days of police custody.
Providing details of the case, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Pankaj Deshmukh stated that the accused created a fake profile under the name “Dr. Rohit Oberoi” on a popular matrimonial platform. Using this fictitious identity, he presented himself as a well-settled and respectable professional, targeting women who were seeking life partners.
One of the victims, a woman from Pune who was in the process of launching her own startup, was lured by the accused under the guise of marriage. Trusting him, she gradually transferred a total of ₹3.60 crore into various bank accounts, believing the funds would be used for joint business investments and family planning.
However, after a period of time, the woman suspected foul play and lodged a formal complaint with the Pune Cyber Crime Cell. A thorough investigation revealed that the accused’s real name is Abhishek Shukla, and that he holds Australian citizenship. He had reportedly returned to India during the pandemic and remained in the country for professional reasons.
In view of the seriousness of the crime and the amount involved, a Look-Out Circular (LOC) was issued against the accused. When he landed in Mumbai from Singapore, officials from Pune Cyber Police acted swiftly and arrested him before he could abscond.
Following his arrest, Shukla was produced before a court which granted five days of police custody for further investigation. Authorities are now probing if he had defrauded other women in a similar manner using the same identity.
This incident has once again raised alarms about the increasing number of scams being carried out via matrimonial platforms. Police have urged citizens, especially women, to exercise caution while engaging in financial transactions with individuals met through online portals. Verification of background, identity, and financial intentions is crucial before taking any major steps, the police emphasized.
Cyber Police also confirmed that digital evidence such as emails, bank transactions, and chat logs were crucial in unmasking the fraud. The accused’s devices are currently being scanned for further leads, and an international fraud angle is not being ruled out.
The Pune Cyber Crime Branch continues to investigate and has assured strict action against such cybercriminals operating under false identities.
