New Delhi: Two men have been arrested by Parliament Street police for allegedly targeting divorced women through matrimonial websites and duping them on the pretext of marriage. The accused, identified as Abhinav Singh of Chhatarpur and Karan Sharma of Sahibabad, were found in possession of gold jewellery worth several lakh rupees, ₹64,000 in cash, two mobile phones and a car used in the crime.
The case came to light on February 17 after a 35-year-old woman from Panipat, Haryana, filed a complaint. She had met Abhinav Singh on a matrimonial portal. After gaining her trust, he called her to a religious place and convinced her to hand over her gold bangles and chain for “safekeeping”. He then fled with the jewellery, her mobile phones and a bag containing documents.
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Following the complaint, police analysed footage from over 200 CCTV cameras and used local intelligence inputs along with technical surveillance to trace the suspects. Both were arrested after a raid. Investigation revealed that the stolen jewellery had been pledged at a “cash for gold” shop in Malviya Nagar for about ₹3 lakh, of which the main accused received ₹1 lakh. Police are also questioning the shop owner.
During interrogation, the main accused confessed to targeting divorced women across multiple states, including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Delhi. He would pose as a well-settled man seeking a serious marriage alliance, gain the victim’s confidence and then flee with jewellery and cash during meetings.
Karan Sharma, a cab driver, acted as an accomplice by providing a car with a fake number plate and helping the accused escape after committing the crime. Police suspect the duo may have cheated several other women and are working to identify additional victims.
Authorities have advised people not to place blind trust in matrimonial matches, to meet for the first time in public places and never hand over jewellery, cash or documents to someone they have met online. Citizens have been urged to report suspicious behaviour immediately.
The investigation is ongoing, with police examining the accused’s criminal history, bank accounts and digital data to uncover other instances of fraud.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
