Raigarh Matrimonial Scam: 7693 People Cheated of Rs 1.11 Crore

Raigarh Police Bust Fake Matrimonial Racket Running from Lok Seva Kendra in Chhattisgarh

Raigarh Matrimonial Scam

In a major breakthrough, Chhattisgarh police have dismantled a sophisticated cyber fraud network operating under the guise of a matrimonial website from a Lok Seva Kendra in Raigarh. Authorities arrested 26 accused, including two masterminds, for allegedly duping 7,693 people across the country of over Rs 1.11 crore using fake marriage profiles and false promises.

The raid took place on Monday afternoon at the 'Nidhi Parivahan Suwidha Kendra' in Daroga Para area under Kotwali police station limits. Acting on specific intelligence about cyber fraud, a team led by senior officers conducted a surprise check and found several young women operating call centres inside the premises.

Fraud Operation Exposed

Investigations revealed that the centre outwardly offered services like licence and document assistance linked to RTO work. However, hidden rooms housed video editing setups, fake document forgery units, and active call centres. The gang used YouTube channels, fabricated profiles on matrimonial platforms, and fake Gmail IDs to lure victims nationwide with marriage proposals.

Victims were asked to pay registration fees, meeting arrangement charges, and other miscellaneous amounts via UPI. Once payments were made, the promised matches or further information never materialised. Police sources indicated the operation ran systematically since 2022, targeting desperate individuals seeking life partners.

Key Accused and Modus Operandi

Masterminds Kapil Garg and Himanshu Mehar were among those arrested. Garg reportedly had prior experience running legitimate RTO-related services from the centre, but after his ID was cancelled, he allegedly shifted to this illegal network. Several young women were found working at the site, using phone calls and edited videos to build trust with potential victims.

During the search, officers seized 55 mobile phones, 13 laptops, two printers, and three bank accounts. Evidence of Photoshop tampering in documents and fake seals of various government departments also surfaced, pointing to a multi-layered racket.

Scale of the Scam

Preliminary probe shows the gang siphoned approximately Rs 1,11,36,000 from 7,693 victims over the years. Most transactions occurred through UPI, making tracing initial payments challenging but digital footprints helped police build the case.

The accused operated under the facade of a common service centre while running the matrimonial fraud in parallel. This dual setup helped them evade early suspicion in a busy public-facing location.

Police Action and Legal Proceedings

Raigarh police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Information Technology Act, including provisions for cheating, forgery, and identity theft. All 26 accused were produced before the court on Tuesday and sent to judicial custody.

SSP Shashi Mohan Singh oversaw the operation, with cyber cell teams providing crucial technical support. Officials described it as a well-organised syndicate that exploited people's emotions for quick gains.

Impact on Victims and Public Awareness

Such scams have become increasingly common in India, where matrimonial sites and social media serve as soft targets for fraudsters. Victims, often from different states, lose hard-earned money while facing emotional distress. Many hesitate to report due to social stigma attached to marriage-related matters.

This Raigarh case highlights vulnerabilities in small-town service centres that can be misused for larger cyber crimes. Police have appealed to the public to verify matrimonial profiles thoroughly and avoid sharing financial details without proper due diligence.

What Lies Ahead

Further investigation is underway to identify any additional accomplices and trace the full extent of laundered funds. Authorities are also examining links to similar operations elsewhere. Cyber experts suggest stricter monitoring of common service centres and matrimonial platforms could prevent such rackets in future.

As digital transactions rise, cases like this serve as a reminder for citizens to exercise caution while seeking personal alliances online. Raigarh police have assured continued vigilance against cyber fraud in the region.