The Dindoshi police have arrested a 51-year-old man for allegedly defrauding widows and divorcees through a matrimonial website. The accused, identified as Pramod Gangadhar Naik, was taken into custody and has been remanded to police custody by the court. Police recovered gold ornaments worth ₹16 lakh, weighing approximately 30 tolas, which he had stolen from one of his victims.
According to police reports, Pramod recently married a 48-year-old widow and fled with her gold jewelry worth lakhs of rupees. During the investigation, it was revealed that he had been in contact with several other divorced and widowed women, and their statements will be recorded soon.
The Complaint and Modus Operandi
The complainant, a resident of Vile Parle, had lost her husband and was living alone after her daughter’s wedding in October 2024. Following her daughter's suggestion, she registered on a matrimonial website, where she came into contact with Pramod Naik.
Pramod introduced himself as a widower who lost his wife and children during the COVID-19 pandemic. He claimed he was remarrying due to family pressure. Over time, he gained her trust through frequent chats and friendly conversations. Convinced by his words, the woman agreed to marry him, and they tied the knot in December 2024.
The couple started living together in Goregaon. However, in January 2025, Pramod absconded with her gold jewelry worth lakhs of rupees. Shocked and heartbroken, the woman immediately approached the Dindoshi police and filed a complaint.
Following the complaint, the police registered a case of cheating and launched a special operation to track down the accused. The investigation led the police to Pune, where Pramod was hiding. He was detained for questioning, during which he confessed to his crimes. Pramod admitted he was in Pune to sell the stolen gold ornaments.
The police recovered gold jewelry weighing 30 tolas, valued at approximately ₹16 lakh. Pramod was subsequently brought to Mumbai, where further investigations revealed shocking details about his past.
The investigation uncovered that Pramod, a resident of Girgaon, is already married but separated from his wife three years ago. He had created a profile on a matrimonial website targeting widows and divorcees aged between 45 to 55 years. Pramod would befriend these women, win their trust, and then defraud them under the pretense of marriage.
Police found that he had similarly approached three to four other women and promised marriage to all of them. Their identities have been established, and their statements will soon be recorded. The police stated that if these women file complaints, additional charges will be registered against Pramod.
Dindoshi police continue their investigation and have urged other potential victims to come forward.