Mumbai: Woman Cheated by Married Man Met on Matrimonial Website, Loses Lakhs and Gold

A 33-year-old woman, who was hoping to rebuild her life through remarriage via an online matrimonial platform, was allegedly cheated and financially exploited by her husband, who later turned out to be already married. The accused allegedly fled after taking lakhs of rupees and gold jewellery from her.

The victim has registered an FIR at DN Nagar Police Station against her husband Shabbir Pir Mohammad Sheikh alias Sameer and his brother Shakir Sheikh, accusing them of organised cheating, financial exploitation and theft. Police have launched a search operation to trace the accused.

According to police, the victim works as a receptionist at a hospital in Andheri West. After her divorce in 2024, she created a profile on Shaadi.com seeking remarriage.

During this period, Shabbir contacted her claiming to be a tour and travels businessman. He allegedly told her that his first wife and parents had passed away and that he was living alone.

The victim alleged that even before marriage, the accused and his brother kept demanding money from her citing vehicle servicing and personal expenses.

In December 2024, the two met for the first time at a wedding function in Jogeshwari West. Later, the accused assured her that he would speak to his family regarding the marriage.

As per the complaint, the couple solemnised their Nikah on September 30, 2025, at Jai Jaiwanti CHS in Kurla East. Only the accused’s brother and sister-in-law attended the ceremony from his side, and they too claimed that his first wife and parents were no more.

After marriage, the couple started living in a rented house in Andheri West. However, within days, the accused allegedly admitted that his parents were alive and had not approved the marriage. Later, when the woman was taken to her in-laws’ residence in Jogeshwari East, she allegedly discovered that Shabbir was already married and had four daughters with his first wife.

The victim further alleged that the accused accessed her mobile phone password and downloaded multiple loan applications without her knowledge, taking loans worth Rs 1.77 lakh in her name. Additionally, a personal loan of Rs 1.89 lakh was also taken from a bank. Most of the money was allegedly transferred to the brother’s bank account.

In November 2025, citing losses in his tour and travels business, the accused allegedly took Rs 1.45 lakh in cash from the victim, promising to return it in December, which he failed to do.

On December 15, 2025, the accused and his brother suddenly went missing. When the victim returned home in the evening, she found around 43 grams of gold jewellery worth approximately Rs 2.15 lakh missing from her cupboard.

The victim has alleged that both brothers stole the jewellery in her absence and fled. She claims that the accused cheated her of a total of Rs 5.12 lakh in the name of marriage and business.

The victim has filed a complaint under charges of cheating, criminal conspiracy, financial exploitation and theft. Police officials said efforts are underway to trace the accused, and digital transactions along with loan app activities are also being investigated.