Fake bride, ‘mother’ and ‘sister’ arrested as police hunt three accomplices behind daring matrimonial fraud
HYDERABAD:
What was meant to be the happiest day of his life turned into a nightmare for a young man from Karachi after a “bride” and her accomplices allegedly robbed him in a sensational marriage scam in Hyderabad.
According to police, the groom, Muhammad Usman Rajput, a resident of Nawab Colony in Baldia Town, Karachi, had travelled to Hyderabad with his parents and brothers to solemnize his marriage. Instead of a wedding celebration, the family fell victim to an elaborate fraud orchestrated by a gang posing as the bride’s relatives.
Police said the incident occurred in Jamali Para Katchi Abadi within the limits of G.O.R. Police Station. The victim told investigators that he works in Saddar, Karachi, selling mobile phone accessories and supports his family. His mother had been searching for a suitable match when a woman identified as Rani, wife of Abbas Chandio, contacted them and invited the family to Hyderabad.
About two weeks earlier, the groom’s family had visited Rani’s residence where a marriage proposal was finalized with a young woman named Nida. The wedding date was fixed for Wednesday evening.
When the groom’s family arrived as planned, they were allegedly persuaded to hand over Rs250,000 in cash to Nida’s supposed parents to purchase wedding necessities. The groom also presented new clothes worth Rs200,000 to the bride.
Soon after receiving the money, Nida’s alleged brother Rizwan Panhwar and her supposed father Munir Arain left the house with Rs200,000. A short while later, the “bride,” along with the women posing as her mother and sister, also disappeared.
Growing suspicious, the groom’s family questioned local residents and were stunned to learn that the group was part of a fraud gang that traps victims through fake marriage proposals. When they returned to the house, the expensive clothes had also vanished.
Acting swiftly, police arrested the fake bride Nida, along with the women posing as her mother Salma and sister Nasreen alias Parveen, and launched further investigations.
A case of fraud has been registered at G.O.R. Police Station on the complaint of Muhammad Usman Rajput. Police said raids are underway to arrest the gang’s alleged ringleader Rani Odh, along with Rizwan Panhwar and Munir Arain, who are still at large.
Authorities believe the gang may have carried out similar scams targeting unsuspecting grooms in the name of marriage.
