A wedding in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur has taken a shocking turn after a man posing as an “IAS officer” was exposed soon after marriage. The accused allegedly used a fake identity to extort lakhs of rupees and is now accused of plotting to sell the bride, raising serious concerns over rising cases of matrimonial fraud and human trafficking.
Fake IAS Credentials Seal Lavish Wedding Deal
According to available details, the marriage was solemnised on March 11, 2026, with considerable pomp and expenditure. The bride’s family reportedly spent around ₹30 lakh on the ceremony, including ₹15 lakh paid as dowry in advance. The accused, identified as Pritam Kumar Nishad from Etawah, had introduced himself as a senior IAS officer to gain the family’s trust.
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₹15 Lakh Dowry Extracted Through Pressure Tactics
To strengthen his claims, the accused allegedly shared photos and videos showing himself in an office-like setting, along with images featuring political personalities. He even cited a supposed television interview to reinforce his credentials. Fearing that the alliance might collapse, the bride’s family did not conduct thorough background verification.
Initially, the accused claimed he would not accept dowry. However, he later demanded ₹15 lakh citing wedding expenses. Under pressure, the bride’s family paid ₹10 lakh in cash and another ₹5 lakh on the day of the engagement. During the tilak ceremony, he also claimed he would soon be posted abroad and would return household items later.
Bride Confined, Family Rescues Her in Time
The situation took a disturbing turn soon after the wedding. As per the complaint, the bride was allegedly molested during the journey to her in-laws’ home. Upon arrival, she was confined to a room. When she managed to alert her family, they rushed to the location.
Family members found her locked inside a room. On seeing them, the accused Pritam and his sister fled the scene. The bride alleged that the accused and his family were planning to sell her, and the plan could have been executed had her family not intervened in time.
Serial Fraudster with Multiple Fake Marriages
The complaint further claims that the accused had previously entered into two marriages using fake identities. Local inputs suggest that he may have been operating under multiple aliases, defrauding families through similar tactics. This has raised suspicion of a larger organised racket potentially linked to human trafficking.
A case has been registered against Pritam Kumar Nishad and his family members. Efforts are underway to trace and arrest the accused, with teams conducting raids at suspected locations. Investigators are also examining his past records and connections to determine whether he is linked to a wider trafficking network.
Experts note that such crimes increasingly rely on social engineering and fabricated identities. Government positions, especially prestigious roles like IAS, are often used by fraudsters to quickly gain credibility and exploit trust.
The incident serves as a stark reminder that even in sensitive matters like marriage, due diligence is crucial. Families are advised to independently verify documents, employment claims, and personal backgrounds before finalising matrimonial alliances.
For now, what began as a celebratory occasion in Gorakhpur has turned into a disturbing case of alleged fraud and attempted human trafficking—raising serious questions about safety, awareness, and the growing sophistication of such crimes.
