A 51-year-old man, Pramod Gangadhar Naik, was arrested in Mumbai for allegedly cheating widows and divorcees on a matrimonial website. The accused, who created a fake profile targeting women aged 45 to 55, was arrested by the Dindoshi police after being caught for stealing jewelry worth ₹16 lakh from one of his victims.
How the Scam Unfolded
Pramod had recently married a 48-year-old widow and tricked her into believing he was a sincere partner. After gaining her trust, he fled with her gold jewelry worth several lakhs. When the woman reported the crime to the police, they started investigating and found that Pramod had been in contact with several other widowed and divorced women.
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The case came to light when a woman from Vile Parle, who had lost her husband, filed a complaint. Encouraged by her daughter, she joined a matrimonial site and met Pramod, who claimed to be a widower. He told her he was remarried due to family pressure after losing his wife and children during the COVID-19 pandemic. He built a relationship with the woman, and in December 2024, they got married.
The couple lived together in Goregaon, but in January 2025, Pramod disappeared with her gold jewelry. Devastated, the woman reported the theft to the police. A case of cheating was filed, and the police began an operation to locate Pramod.
Pramod’s Past and Other Victims
The investigation led police to Pune, where Pramod was found hiding. He confessed to stealing the jewelry and said he planned to sell it. Police recovered the stolen items and brought him back to Mumbai for further questioning.
As the investigation continued, it was revealed that Pramod had a history of using matrimonial websites to target widows and divorcees. He had separated from his wife three years ago and created a profile aimed at women aged 45 to 55. He befriended these women, gained their trust, and then took advantage of them under the pretense of marriage.
Police confirmed that Pramod had approached at least three to four other women, and they are now in the process of recording their statements. Authorities are urging any other possible victims to come forward. Additional charges may be filed depending on the number of complaints.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation into Pramod’s fraudulent activities is still ongoing, and the police are working to uncover the full scope of his actions. If more victims step forward, more charges could be added, and Pramod’s deceitful actions could lead to even greater legal consequences.
