Posing as Hindus, ‘Fifth-Grade Fail’ Fraudsters Dupe Over 1,000 People Across India

Baghpat, UP: The Baghpat Cyber Police have arrested two fraudsters, Naved and Bhura, who conducted a massive nationwide scam, targeting over 1,000 people across Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, and other states. The duo posed as Hindu individuals and tricked families by promising marriage alliances with boys allegedly holding government jobs.

How the Scam Operated
Both accused, who have educational qualifications only up to 5th and 8th grade, used fake identities and documents to stay in hotels under Hindu names. They lured victims by advertising matrimonial alliances on social media and websites, claiming that prospective grooms were doctors, engineers, or employed in the Air Force. Once contact was established, they fabricated emergencies—such as a staged road accident—to extort money from the families.

In one case, a family paid ₹25,000 online, only for the accused to disappear and switch off their phones. Investigations revealed that the scam amounts ranged from ₹25,000 to ₹1.5 lakh per victim.

Criminal Records and Repeat Offenses
Naved, who had recently completed an 8-month jail term after serving 2.5 years, resumed his fraudulent operations immediately after release. The duo had already conducted multiple scams across UP, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar in just the past week, netting approximately ₹2 lakh.

Police Seize Fake Documents
Police recovered fake IDs and Aadhaar cards used by Naved and Bhura to register at hotels and orchestrate their operations. Authorities confirmed that both accused are Muslim but posed as Hindus to gain the trust of victims. The investigation is ongoing, and cybercrime officials are examining their extensive network across various states.

The Baghpat Cyber Police warn citizens to verify identities and documents rigorously when responding to matrimonial advertisements and report any suspicious activity immediately.