Mumbai: A 29-year-old woman from Thane’s Mumbra was cheated of Rs 6.75 lakh by a man posing as an NRI on a matrimonial site and an unknown woman who helped him. An FIR has been registered against the man and an unidentified woman who is believed to have assisted in the fraud.

The fraud reportedly took place between January and March 2026. the woman connected with the accused, identified as Adnan Ahmed, on a matrimonial site. The man claimed he was a resident of the UK and also intended to marry the victim, saying that he would be in India in three months. Their conversations moved to WhatsApp, where their connection grew, and he gained her trust.

However, suddenly on January 27, the accused allegedly contacted the woman, claiming he was in India and the customs officials at Delhi airport had seized his gold and foreign currency. Not just this, a woman posing as an immigration officer also called the victim.

The accused claimed that he needed urgent funds to pay the ‘fines and clearances’ to retrieve his belongings. The victim transferred Rs 6.75 lakh between February 2 and March 12 from her accounts to various bank accounts provided by the accused.

But to her shock, the accused stopped responding to her calls and messages, and she filed a complaint. Based on a complaint, the Mumbra police on March 26 registered an FIR against Adnan Ahmed and an unidentified woman.

Nashik: Troubles continue to mount for self-styled astrologer Ashok Kharat as Nashik Police have registered two more criminal cases against him, including a fresh rape complaint, taking the total number of cases to 10.

According to police officials, eight of these cases relate to rape and sexual exploitation, while two involve allegations of cheating and financial fraud. The latest FIRs were registered by the Sarkarwada Police Station on Friday night,

Details On The Recent Complaints

In the most recent complaint, a married woman alleged that Kharat sexually assaulted her four times between August and December 2024. The complainant stated that she had visited Kharat’s office at Canada Corner in Nashik along with her husband. Following a pattern seen in earlier cases, Kharat allegedly asked her husband to wait outside before sedating and assaulting her inside his chamber.

Police said the woman approached authorities only after Kharat’s arrest on March 18, indicating that more victims may come forward as the investigation progresses.

In a separate case, a trader from Ahilyanagar district, Rajendra Nanasaheb Bhagwat (39), accused Kharat of cheating him of Rs 2.62 lakh over three years. Bhagwat told police that Kharat had advised him to wear gemstone rings to improve his business fortunes. However, after the accused’s arrest, the complainant discovered that the stones were fake and the rings were made of copper instead of gold. Bhagwat also alleged that he had given Kharat gold rings weighing over 20 grams.

Kharat, who built a reputation as a numerologist advising clients, including prominent individuals, on business and personal matters, is now under investigation for multiple serious offences, including rape, extortion, and cheating.

Meanwhile, the district administration has taken parallel action by suspending Kharat’s firearm licence. Ayush Prasad confirmed that a show-cause notice has been issued, asking why the licence should not be permanently cancelled.

Officials said the move followed the recovery of five used cartridges from Kharat’s farmhouse. Authorities are now probing whether the firearm was used in any незакон activities. Records show that the licence was first granted in 2014 and renewed as recently as 2024.

With multiple cases emerging and investigations intensifying, the Kharat case has taken a serious turn, raising concerns over alleged abuse of influence and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals under the guise of spiritual guidance.

Mumbai: Two police constables have been arrested for allegedly kidnapping a forex company executive and robbing him of $10,000 (`8.65 lakh) in Juhu. The police said the stolen cash has not yet been recovered, and efforts are on to trace three other accused.

Sandeep Shinde, 33, posted at the BKC police station, and Gajendra Rajput, 40, attached to the Jogeshwari police station, were among five persons who allegedly carried out the abduction on Wednesday afternoon. The incident unfolded when the 30-year-old delivery executive travelled to Juhu to hand over foreign currency to a client.

At 2 pm, near Juhu Circle, he was allegedly cornered and forced into a car, where he was allegedly assaulted. The captors also threatened to frame him in a false case. The group drove him to Dahisar, where they snatched the bag containing $10,000. The victim’s cries for help drew the attention of passers-by, leading to a commotion that caught the eye of a police patrol unit. As the accused tried to flee, Shinde was caught on the spot by Dahisar patrol officers.

He was initially taken to the Dahisar police station before being handed over to the Juhu police. During questioning, investigators uncovered Rajput’s involvement, who was arrested on Friday at his residence in Thane. A case was registered on Thursday under charges including kidnapping, extortion, dacoity, and impersonating a public servant. Shinde was produced before a court and remanded for 10 days of police custody.