Mumbai cyber police have apprehended two individuals for cheating and threatening men they met on a popular matrimonial site. The accused, identified as Sunil Modi, 67, and Sanket Chavan, 23, have been accused of creating a fake profile of a ‘woman magistrate’ named Ashwini Manohar Pandit.
The investigation revealed that Modi, who has been involved in several cheating cases in the past, and Chavan, who can convincingly speak in a young woman’s voice, met while serving time at Arthur Road prison. Upon their release, they partnered up to create the fake profile on the matrimonial site, posing as a 21-year-old magistrate.
To add credibility to their scheme, the duo even forged documents that depicted ‘Ashwini Pandit’ as a Judicial Magistrate First Class. They then proceeded to threaten their victims with arrest warrants if they did not make payments. Additionally, they created counterfeit warrants to further intimidate their targets.
Their activities were exposed when a software engineer filed a complaint after falling victim to a similar scam. Inspector Suvarna Shinde, leading the investigation, stated that both accused had previous criminal records and decided to collaborate after their release from prison.
The fake profile, featuring the photograph of an influencer from Nashik without her knowledge, attracted interest from potential suitors. Chavan, impersonating ‘Ashwini’, would communicate with these suitors. After gaining their trust, ‘Ashwini’ would request money under the pretext of visiting a doctor, claiming to have forgotten her wallet. Those who refused were threatened with arrest warrants, accompanied by photographs of the forged warrants.
The police have discovered that victims from various locations in Maharashtra, including Nashik, Ratnagiri, and Mumbai, fell prey to the fraud. Investigators are now examining the fake profile to identify other individuals who may have been targeted, in an effort to locate additional victims.
The arrest of these individuals highlights the need for caution while engaging with online platforms. It serves as a reminder for users to verify the authenticity of profiles and exercise vigilance when interacting with unknown individuals on matrimonial sites. Authorities urge the public to report any suspicious activities to prevent further scams and protect potential victims.