Pune Crime: Gang of women who duped men on pretext of marriage busted

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Pune Rural Police have busted a racket of 9 women and 2 men who have allegedly duped men through fake marriages. Reportedly, the women would steal gold ornaments and cash before marriage and flee.

As per an Indian Express report, the racket was brought to light when the Local Crime Branch of Pune rural police started investigating a case where a man was duped of Rs 2.4 lakh before marriage in January.

Jyoti Patil (35), a resident of Wagholi, who is alleged to be the kingpin of the gang, approached the man with the proposal of a woman who he claimed was from a poor family and was ready to get married to him. Later, the family of the man informed the police alleging the woman had fled with cash.

It was later found out that the woman was already married and has 2 kids. During interrogation, the women confessed to cheating at least 5 men. But police claim they have reasons to believe that many more have been victimized.

Investigating Officer Padmakar Ghanwat said, "Jyoti Patil used to find out men who have crossed the traditional age of marriage and tell them about women from poor families wanting to get married. Sums in the range of Rs 2-3 lakh were taken from them on the pretext of giving the woman's families gold ornaments for marriage. After living with these men for a few days, these women used to flee with ornaments and cash. Women have changed their names for these marriages."