Police in Punjab's Mohali district have arrested a man for allegedly running an elaborate online scam, where he posed as a prospective groom on matrimonial websites to cheat multiple women. The accused, identified as Jaswinder Singh, alias Jass, a 29-year-old resident of Gurdaspur, is accused of swindling over ₹30 lakh from his victims.
The Modus Operandi of the Fraud
According to the police, Jaswinder Singh created fake profiles on popular matrimonial platforms. He presented himself as a well-settled, eligible bachelor to lure women seeking marriage. After initiating contact and building trust, he would spin fabricated stories about financial emergencies to extract money.
His tactics included claiming he needed funds for medical treatment of a relative, for business losses, or for other urgent expenses. The accused reportedly targeted women from various states, including Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi, making the investigation a multi-jurisdictional challenge.
How the Net Closed In
The scam unraveled when a woman from Mohali filed a formal complaint. She stated that she was cheated of a significant sum of money by a man she met on a matrimonial site. Based on her complaint, a case was registered at the Phase 8 police station in Mohali.
Acting on the complaint and following technical and manual surveillance, the police team zeroed in on Jaswinder Singh. He was subsequently arrested from his location. Investigations revealed the extensive nature of his fraudulent activities, with the total cheated amount estimated to be over ₹30 lakh from several victims.
Police Action and Ongoing Investigation
The Mohali police have charged the accused under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to cheating and criminal breach of trust. A mobile phone and a motorcycle used in the commission of the crime have been seized from his possession.
Authorities are now delving deeper into the case to identify all the victims and uncover the full extent of the fraud. They are also investigating whether the accused acted alone or had accomplices in this matrimonial site scam. The police have urged other potential victims who may have been targeted by similar tactics to come forward and file reports.
This incident serves as a stark warning for individuals using online matrimonial services. Experts advise users to exercise extreme caution, verify the backgrounds of prospective matches through independent means, and be wary of any requests for money, especially under emotionally charged pretexts. The case highlights the persistent threat of cyber fraud in the digital age, where personal desires are exploited for financial gain.
