NEW DELHI – The Delhi Police Crime Branch has apprehended a 35-year-old man accused of being one of the country’s most prolific matrimonial fraudsters. The suspect, dubbed the "Pan-India Casanova" by investigators, allegedly defrauded more than 500 women across various states, amassing millions of rupees through a sophisticated web of lies and emotional manipulation.

The arrest followed a high-stakes investigation triggered by a complaint from a South Delhi-based professional. According to police, the suspect utilized popular matrimonial platforms and social media apps to scout his victims. He typically targeted high-achieving, independent women—including doctors, engineers, and corporate executives—frequently posing as a high-ranking government official or a wealthy NRI.

The suspect utilized a calculated three-step pattern to ensnare his victims, beginning with "the hook"—creating high-end profiles featuring stolen photos of luxury cars and elite lifestyle markers. This was followed by a "grooming" phase, where he built intense emotional rapport over several weeks using constant messaging and obscured video calls to hide his true identity.

Finally, he would execute "the sting" by inventing a sudden crisis, such as a frozen bank account or a medical emergency, to manipulate victims into sending large sums of money.

The Delhi Police tracked the suspect through a complex trail of ghost bank accounts and burner SIM cards. After a two-week surveillance operation spanning three states, he was eventually cornered at a luxury hotel in Odisha, where he was reportedly already in the process of courting three other women.

"This wasn't just about the money; it was a psychological operation. He maintained a detailed diary to keep track of the different lies he told each woman to ensure he never slipped up." — DCP (Crime Branch)

While the official complaint count currently stands at 50, forensic analysis of the suspect’s devices suggests the number of victims exceeds 500.

The scale of the fraud is staggering, with over 500 estimated victims identified across 15 different states. Authorities have successfully frozen accounts containing ₹1.2 Crore in stolen funds and seized a hoard of digital evidence, including 12 smart phones, 3 laptops, and various fake ID cards.

Investigators revealed that the suspect primarily hunted for victims on major platforms like Shaadi.com, BharatMatrimony, and Instagram, using the wide reach of these sites to cast a nationwide net.

Authorities are urging other victims to come forward, promising anonymity. The police have also issued a public advisory regarding "Digital Grooming," reminding citizens to never transfer funds to individuals they have not met in person, regardless of the perceived emotional connection.

The suspect is currently being held on charges of Cheating (Section 420 IPC), Impersonation, and various sections of the Information Technology Act.