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In a shocking case from Faridabad, a 29-year-old man, identified as Somdutt Kaushik, was arrested for allegedly marrying and defrauding multiple women across several states using fake identities and impersonation. According to police, Kaushik had been targeting women on matrimonial websites, presenting himself as a senior government official, and exploiting their trust for financial gain. The revelations have highlighted both the increasing sophistication of online matrimonial frauds and the vulnerability of victims, who often fear reporting such crimes due to social stigma.

The arrest was carried out by the Surajkund police in Faridabad following an extensive investigation. Inspector Prehlad Singh, the station house officer (SHO) of Surajkund police station, stated that Kaushik had married more than 19 women across Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and other regions over the past five to six years. Despite the scale of his alleged crimes, formal complaints have only been registered by three women in Faridabad, Noida, and Ghaziabad, indicating the likelihood of underreporting due to social and familial pressures.

Kaushik, originally from Jurhera village in Chhainsa, Faridabad, was taken into custody from his residence on Tuesday and placed under three-day police remand for detailed interrogation. The police disclosed that his modus operandi involved creating convincing profiles on matrimonial platforms. In one notable case, Kaushik posed as Rakshit Sharma, claiming to be a GST inspector with the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs. Using this identity, he befriended a 24-year-old woman from Faridabad’s Green Field Colony and married her in December 2024.

The victim’s family was allegedly duped of at least ₹25 lakh, including ₹15 lakh that was spent on purchasing a car gifted to Kaushik during the wedding. Investigations revealed that Kaushik even arranged for individuals to impersonate his “parents and relatives” during the wedding formalities to give his deception a semblance of authenticity. Police stated that Kaushik had a gambling addiction and had squandered the remaining money on online gambling.

The woman became suspicious after Kaushik never took her to his residence post-marriage. Upon checking his phone, she discovered evidence of multiple fake identities and communications with other women, revealing a pattern of repeated deception. Realizing she had fallen victim to a serial fraudster, the woman approached the police. Kaushik was initially booked at the Women’s (NIT) police station for cheating and forgery in March this year, arrested, and later released on bail after two months. Following the victim’s statements, senior officials sought permission from the court to reinvestigate the case, leading to Kaushik’s arrest on additional charges, including rape, for a thorough inquiry.

Police are now conducting a detailed investigation into Kaushik’s activities over the past five years. The probe is focusing on identifying all potential victims and determining whether family members were complicit or if Kaushik had hired individuals to impersonate his relatives. Investigators have emphasized that many of his victims refrained from approaching law enforcement due to fear of social stigma, highlighting the hidden scale of the alleged crimes.

The case exposes a growing trend of matrimonial and online fraud in India, where perpetrators exploit the trust of individuals seeking life partners. Police are urging potential victims to exercise caution when interacting with unknown individuals online, especially in matrimonial contexts, and to verify identities thoroughly. Awareness campaigns and online safety measures are increasingly critical to prevent similar incidents.

Authorities also highlighted the psychological impact on victims, noting that repeated deception and betrayal by someone trusted can cause long-term emotional distress. Legal experts have emphasized that strict punitive action, including charges under cheating, forgery, and sexual offenses, is essential not only for justice but also to deter similar crimes.

This incident has drawn attention to the need for more robust legal and investigative frameworks to tackle online matrimonial fraud. Experts suggest that matrimonial platforms should implement stricter verification procedures and that authorities should streamline reporting mechanisms to encourage victims to come forward without fear of social or familial backlash.

In summary, Somdutt Kaushik’s arrest in Faridabad has unveiled a multi-state network of matrimonial fraud, involving false identities, impersonation, and financial exploitation. With at least 19 alleged marriages and significant monetary losses for victims, the case underscores the risks associated with online matrimonial platforms, the psychological trauma endured by victims, and the importance of prompt legal intervention. The police investigation continues, with authorities aiming to uncover the full extent of Kaushik’s activities, identify additional victims, and determine the involvement of any accomplices.