Pune: Man Arrested for Duping Divorced Women of ₹3.6 Crore, Chatted With Over 3,000 on Shaadi.com
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Accused posed as ‘Dr Rohit Oberoi’ on matrimonial site; police say he chatted with over 3,000 women
In a shocking case of online matrimonial fraud, Pune Cyber Police have arrested Abhishek Shukla, a 42-year-old Indian-origin Australian citizen, for allegedly duping a divorced woman of ₹3.6 crore under the pretext of marriage and business partnership. The arrest was made at Mumbai International Airport following his arrival from Singapore.
Shukla, a native of Lucknow, had assumed the false identity of Dr Rohit Oberoi, an Australian-based medical professional of Indian origin, on a popular matrimonial site. Using this fake profile, he contacted a 40-year-old woman from Delhi, currently residing in Kharadi, Pune, who had created her profile in search of a life partner.
Police reports confirm that the scam spanned nearly a year, from September 2024 to June 2025. The accused visited the woman in Pune and other Indian cities, gaining her trust through repeated interactions. The victim, who had received ₹5 crore in alimony after a divorce, was planning to start a mindfulness-based education initiative for children. Learning of her financial background, the accused offered to help her scale the venture internationally.
Shukla introduced two fictitious investors Yvonne Handayani and Vincent Kuan, allegedly based in Singapore and convinced the woman to transfer ₹3.6 crore into accounts in Citibank Singapore and other Indian banks. Once the transactions were completed, Shukla fled to Australia and gradually cut all communication.
By October 2024, Shukla falsely claimed he had been diagnosed with oral cancer, further distancing himself. A month later, the woman received an email from “Kuan” announcing Shukla’s death, triggering emotional trauma. Sensing something was amiss, she verified the details and realized she had been scammed.
Following a complaint on the 1930 cybercrime helpline, Pune Cyber Police, under Senior Inspector Swapnali Shinde and Police Sub-Inspector Sushil Damre, coordinated with Mumbai Airport authorities. Shukla was taken into custody on June 25 upon landing in India.
Pankaj Deshmukh, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime), revealed that Shukla had used the matrimonial site to interact with over 3,000 women, primarily targeting divorced individuals. “We’re contacting other potential victims and urge the public to remain cautious when using matrimonial platforms,” Deshmukh said.
The accused remains in police custody as further investigation continues. Authorities warn citizens to verify identities and remain vigilant during online interactions, especially when large sums of money or personal commitments are involved.
