Daijiworld Media Network - Navi Mumbai

Navi Mumbai, Feb 27: A 34-year-old man who allegedly posed as a scientist with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been arrested by the Navi Mumbai Crime Branch for cheating and sexually exploiting women through matrimonial applications, police said on Friday.

According to officials, the accused allegedly extorted Rs 96.97 lakh from multiple highly educated women and spent most of the money at casinos in Goa.

The arrest was carried out under the guidance of Milind Bharambe, Commissioner of Navi Mumbai Police, who had directed officers to expedite pending crimes against women.

Investigations revealed that the accused used 12 fake names on matrimonial platforms. He falsely claimed to be an ISRO scientist and posted forged identity cards of ISRO and the Public Works Department (PWD). He also shared photographs posing with a luxury Mercedes car and projected a lavish lifestyle to attract victims, particularly doctors, engineers and bank officers.

However, police said he is a serial offender with 10 previous cheating cases registered against him in Mumbai, Thane and Pune.

Officials said the accused would gain the trust of women by promising marriage. After establishing a relationship, he allegedly convinced them to avail pre-approved personal loans from banks, claiming the funds would be used to purchase property in Gujarat for their future together. Instead, he siphoned off the money and used it for gambling at casinos in Goa.

In a major breakthrough, the Crime Branch recovered Rs 89.40 lakh directly from casino owners in Goa.

The accused was produced before a court, which remanded him to police custody until March 4, 2026. Further investigation is underway.