Raigarh : In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, Raigarh Police have uncovered a large-scale fraud operation that used a fake matrimonial platform to deceive and extort money from unsuspecting individuals. The racket, operating under the guise of a public service center, has led to the detention of key suspects, including the alleged mastermind.
The operation came to light following intelligence received by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shashi Mohan Singh, prompting immediate action. A joint team led by Additional SP Anil Soni, City Superintendent of Police Mayank Mishra, and Cyber Police Station In-Charge Inspector Vijay Chelak carried out a raid at a facility located in the Darogapara area.
Fake Matrimonial Platform Used as Bait
Preliminary investigations revealed that the main accused, Kapil Garg, had previously operated a legitimate public service center handling Regional Transport Office (RTO) work. However, his license had been revoked about a month ago. Despite this, Garg allegedly continued operations, transforming the center into a hub for cyber fraud.
The accused reportedly created a fake matrimonial service under the name “India Matrimony,” where victims were lured with fabricated marriage proposals. A network of young women, working under the direction of the accused, allegedly created fake Gmail accounts and YouTube channels to upload attractive profiles and videos to gain trust.
Well-Structured Fraud Modus Operandi
Once potential victims made contact, the fraudsters would:
- Collect personal biodata from interested individuals
- Charge a “registration fee” via UPI payment systems
- Demand additional payments for arranging virtual meetings with selected profiles
- Send QR codes through WhatsApp to facilitate payments
After extracting money through multiple transactions, communication was abruptly terminated with excuses such as the “prospective bride losing interest.” The scammers would then move on to new targets.
Expansion of the Network
Based on leads from Kapil Garg, police also raided another location—an educational society office in Darogapara—allegedly linked to the racket. The operator of the center admitted to being associated with Garg for the past three years and confirmed that similar fraudulent activities were conducted from her office using young women to interact with victims online.
Seizure of Equipment and Fake Documents
During the raid, police seized laptops containing evidence of document manipulation using photo-editing software. Additionally, several fake seals and stamps of government departments were recovered, indicating possible involvement in forging official documents.
Authorities are continuing their investigation, questioning all individuals involved, including the women allegedly used in the operation.
Police Warning to the Public
SSP Shashi Mohan Singh issued a strong warning to citizens:
“Raigarh Police is closely monitoring cyber fraud activities conducted through online platforms. People are advised to remain cautious of suspicious matrimonial or social media profiles and report any such incidents immediately. Strict legal action will be taken against offenders.”
Ongoing Investigation
Police officials confirmed that further investigation is underway to uncover the full extent of the network, identify additional victims, and determine whether similar operations are being conducted in other regions.