From Love to Loss: Woman Loses 3.6 Crore to Online Fiancé After 5 Crore Alimony Win

In a disturbing case of digital romance fraud, a Pune-based divorcee who received ₹5 crore in alimony was conned out of ₹3.6 crore by a man she met through a matrimonial website. The accused, Abhishek Shukla, originally from Lucknow and now an Australian citizen, was arrested at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on June 25, 2025, upon arrival from Singapore.

Using the alias “Dr. Rohit Oberoi,” Shukla posed as a doctor settled in Perth. He connected with the 40-year-old woman from Pune’s Kharadi locality in 2023, gained her trust, proposed marriage, and pitched a lucrative healthcare startup. Promising big returns and a future together, he convinced her to invest her alimony into the fraudulent venture.

The woman transferred ₹3.6 crore into multiple accounts provided by Shukla. After receiving the money, he distanced himself—claiming illness and even faking his death through a bogus email.

Suspicious and heartbroken, the woman filed a complaint in November 2024. Pune Cyber Police launched a months-long investigation and uncovered that Shukla had used forged documents and dummy profiles. Shockingly, he had interacted with over 3,100 women on matrimonial platforms, suggesting a widespread fraud network.

Authorities tracked Shukla internationally and finally apprehended him at Mumbai Airport. He is now in police custody until June 29 as investigations continue to identify more victims.

This case underscores a rising trend in digital matrimonial frauds, where emotional manipulation meets financial exploitation. Police urge users of matrimonial and dating platforms to stay vigilant, avoid sharing sensitive information or transferring money, and report suspicious behaviour immediately.

Experts warn that romance scams are becoming more sophisticated, involving fake identities, forged documents, and emotionally coercive tactics designed to steal not just money, but trust.