Mumbai Man Arrested For Defrauding Widows & Divorcees On Matrimonial Site Using Fake Profile; Jewellery Worth ₹16 Lakh Seized

Mumbai: The Dindoshi police have arrested a 51-year-old man for allegedly defrauding widows and divorcees through a matrimonial website. The accused, identified as Pramod Gangadhar Naik, was taken into custody and has been remanded to police custody. During the investigation, police recovered gold ornaments worth Rs 16 lakh, weighing approximately 30 tolas, which he had stolen from one of his victims.

Pramod had recently married a 48-year-old widow and fled with her gold jewellery. Further inquiries revealed that he had been in contact with several other divorced and widowed women, whose statements will soon be recorded, as reported by Lokmat Times.

How Did The Scam Come To Light?

The case came to light after a woman from Vile Parle, who had lost her husband, filed a complaint. Living alone after her daughter’s wedding in October 2024, she had registered on a matrimonial website at her daughter’s suggestion. Through the platform, she met Pramod Naik, who introduced himself as a widower claiming to have lost his wife and children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He stated that he was remarrying due to family pressure. Over time, he gained the woman’s trust through frequent conversations and emotional bonding. Convinced of his sincerity, she agreed to marry him, and they tied the knot in December 2024.

The couple started living together in Goregaon. However, in January 2025, Pramod absconded with her gold jewellery worth several lakhs. Shocked and devastated, the woman immediately approached the Dindoshi police and filed a complaint. A case of cheating was registered, and a special operation was launched to track down the accused.

The investigation led the police to Pune, where Pramod was found hiding. Upon being detained and questioned, he confessed to his crimes. He admitted that he was in Pune to sell the stolen gold ornaments. Acting swiftly, the police recovered the stolen jewellery and brought Pramod back to Mumbai for further investigation.

Matrimonial Profile Specifically Targetting Widows And Divorcees

As the inquiry progressed, more details about Pramod’s past came to light. A resident of Girgaon, he was already married but had separated from his wife three years ago. He had created a profile on a matrimonial website specifically targeting widows and divorcees aged between 45 to 55 years.

He would befriend these women, gain their trust, and then defraud them under the guise of marriage. Police discovered that he had similarly approached at least three to four other women with promises of marriage. Their identities have been confirmed, and their statements will soon be recorded.

The police have urged other potential victims to come forward, stating that if additional complaints are filed, more charges will be registered against Pramod. The investigation is ongoing as officials work to identify the full extent of his fraudulent activities.