Delhi Police have uncovered an alleged matrimonial fraud operation in Agra that targeted men looking for marriage through fake profiles, staged conversations and repeated payment demands.
The racket allegedly operated through a website called Shaadi Partner and was run from a call centre in Agra. According to police, women working at the centre posed as prospective brides and sometimes as their family members to convince victims that they were dealing with genuine matrimonial matches.
The investigation began after a Delhi man approached the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, alleging that he had been cheated of Rs 15,000 while trying to find a matrimonial match through the website.
Police traced the payment to a Central Bank of India account registered in the name of M/s Shaadi Partner Com. Banking records showed Jaya Shakya as the proprietor and authorised signatory. Investigators said the same account was connected to six complaints from different parts of the country.
How The Scam Worked
According to investigators, callers first identified men searching for matrimonial alliances and assessed their financial background. Photographs of women obtained from the internet were then shared with prospective victims.
The accused allegedly created dummy profiles on the matrimonial website and sent screenshots to make the profiles appear genuine. Once a man showed interest, a woman from the call centre would contact him while posing as the prospective bride.
Police said these conversations could continue for several days, allowing the victim to believe that a genuine relationship was developing.
The alleged fraud would then move to the payment stage. Victims were asked to pay charges described as registration, profile access, activation or contact-unlocking fees. Packages reportedly ranged from Rs 2,500 to Rs 15,000.
When a proposed match failed, callers allegedly gave different explanations, including family objections, Manglik dosh or claims that the woman had become engaged elsewhere. Men seeking another match were allegedly offered additional profiles and, in some cases, contact details of supposed family members who would also reject the proposal.
Police said victims could be kept engaged for weeks or even months before being told that their membership had expired.
Why The Amount Was Kept Low
Investigators said the operation deliberately limited the amount taken from an individual victim to Rs 15,000.
According to Delhi Police, the strategy was to collect smaller amounts from a large number of people, making victims less likely to immediately approach the authorities.
Police have described this as a “cheat small, cheat many” model.
Police Raid Agra Call Centre
The investigation led police to a call centre operating from an apartment in Sikandra, Agra.
During a raid on September 4, police arrested Jaya Shakya and eight women tele-callers, according to officials.
Police alleged that 29-year-old advocate Amit Kumar was behind the operation. Investigators said the business was formally registered in Shakya’s name, while Kumar allegedly presented himself as its legal adviser.
Police further alleged that registrations with government departments and other business documents were used to give the operation the appearance of a legitimate matrimonial company.
Kumar was arrested on September 8 after investigators traced him to Agra following the raid, police said. During the investigation, officers also seized mobile phones and computer equipment from the operation, according to police.
Probe Continues
Police said the six complaints already linked to the bank account indicate that the operation may have targeted victims in several parts of the country.
Investigators are examining digital and financial records to determine the full extent of the alleged fraud. Police have also appealed to other people who may have been targeted through the same platform or similar matrimonial schemes to come forward.
