Indore (Madhya Pradesh): City crime branch arrested a brother-sister duo for allegedly cheating a US-based NRI of Rs 2.68 crore through a fake profile on a matrimonial website, an officer said on Friday.
The complainant, Venkat Kalga, originally from Andhra Pradesh and currently working in North Carolina, had come across a profile named “Barkha Jeswani” on a popular matrimonial site in March 2023.
The accused, Simran Jeswani, had used photos of an Instagram model to create the fake profile and began communicating with the victim, eventually shifting the conversation to WhatsApp.
Over time, she gained his trust and convinced him that she was serious about marriage. With help from her brother Vishal Jeswani, the duo started asking the victim for money under various pretexts, such as medical expenses, travel to the U.S., and family problems.
Between April 2023 and June 2024, the victim transferred Rs 2.68 crore in several instalments to different bank accounts linked to the accused and their relatives. After the complaint was filed, the Crime Branch registered a case under IPC Sections 419, 420, and 34.
Simran was arrested from Indore, while Vishal was nabbed from Ahmedabad. During interrogation, the accused admitted to using the money to repay debts, purchase cars, and invest in business activities. Both are currently in police custody and further investigation is ongoing.
DCP (crime) Rajesh Kumar Tripathi said the case reflects a rising trend of digital fraud using fake matrimonial profiles to trap unsuspecting individuals, especially NRIs.
“The accused used emotional manipulation and convincing tactics to gain the victim’s trust. We advise people to stay alert and verify identities before sharing personal information or money online,” he said. Tripathi added that police are examining financial records to trace the flow of funds and identify any other potential victims.
