A shocking case of online matrimonial fraud has come to light from Mulund East, where a 42-year-old graphic designer was allegedly cheated of ₹17.73 lakh by a man who lured her with the promise of marriage. The accused posed as an influential NGO chairman with links to government schemes and later threatened the victim after siphoning off the money.
Based on the victim’s complaint, the Navghar Police have registered a case and launched an investigation.
According to the police, the woman had been registered on a well-known matrimonial website for several years in search of a life partner. On September 29, 2025, she received a marriage proposal from a profile named “V B,” which she accepted on October 18. The accused later contacted her through mobile and WhatsApp calls, introducing himself as Viraj Balasaheb Bhosale (45), a resident of Pune.
He claimed that his father was an IPS officer, his mother a physiotherapist, and that he was the chairman of a Pune-based NGO. He further told the victim that he had access to CSR funds and government housing schemes and helped divorced, widowed and single women secure homes at subsidised rates.
On October 20, 2025, the accused demanded a token amount, claiming it was required to arrange a house in Mumbai. Trusting him, the woman transferred ₹5.60 lakh in instalments from her bank account. Subsequently, at his insistence, she took three personal loans from a bank and transferred an additional ₹12.13 lakh to the accounts provided by him.
After receiving a total of ₹17.73 lakh, the accused gradually reduced communication with the woman. When she demanded her money back, he allegedly abused and threatened her, claiming strong political and police connections, and warned her of dire consequences if she approached the authorities.
Later, upon checking the accused’s Facebook profile, the victim discovered that he had allegedly cheated several other women in a similar manner. She then approached the police.
Navghar Police have registered an FIR against the accused under sections related to cheating and criminal intimidation. The accused is currently absconding, and efforts are on to trace and arrest him.