Ahmedabad, June 14 (IANS) A 44-year-old man has been arrested in Ahmedabad for allegedly posing as a Hindu widower on a matrimonial website, using forged documents and false claims about his personal life to gain the trust of widowed women before cheating them of money and property, officials said on Sunday.

The accused, identified as Karim Sipai, a resident of Sarghatani Ghati in Kadi, Mehsana district, was arrested by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch after a case was registered at the Mahila West Police Station.

According to investigators, Sipai created a profile on a well-known matrimonial platform under the name “Aditya Patel”, concealing his identity and presenting himself as a Hindu widower without children.

Police said he specifically targeted widowed women living alone, developing relationships with them by claiming that his wife had died and that he was leading a solitary life.

To make the false identity appear genuine, the accused allegedly sent forged Aadhaar, PAN, driving licence and passport documents, along with fabricated certificates purportedly showing the death of his wife.

Police said the documents were intended to convince victims that his background and personal circumstances were genuine.

Investigators alleged that once he had gained a victim’s confidence, Sipai would promise marriage and then obtain cash and other valuables through various pretexts.

In the complaint that led to the arrest, the victim allegedly lost around Rs 70,000 and a two-wheeler.

The alleged fraud came to light when a caller identification application displayed a suspicious name during a phone conversation.

Subsequent checks revealed that the address provided by the accused was false. Verification of the documents and other information supplied to the complainant ultimately revealed that the man claiming to be “Aditya Patel” was allegedly Karim Sipai.

Speaking to IANS, N.B. Kalsariya, Police Inspector at Mahila West Police Station, said: “He is 44 years old. He took around Rs 70,000 and an Activa from the victim. He is a Muslim and was posing as a Hindu to cheat women on matrimonial sites. The accused is married and has two children. The family lives in Kadi.”

The officer added that investigators believe the complainant was not the only victim.

“He has cheated more than two women,” Kalsariya told IANS.

Police are continuing to interrogate the accused to determine how many women may have been targeted through the alleged scheme.

Authorities have urged users of matrimonial websites and social media platforms to verify the identity, background and documents of individuals before entering into personal commitments or financial dealings.

–IANS

mys/pgh