The Mira Bhayander-Vasai Virar Police have busted a gang that allegedly cheated a 53-year-old estate agent by orchestrating a fake marriage, with his ‘wife’ decamping with valuables from his residence, and arrested two persons, officials said on Wednesday. The victim was targeted between July and December 2025. The accused allegedly conspired to show him a photograph of a woman and arranged a marriage. Believing the proposal to be genuine, the victim transferred Rs 45,750 into various bank accounts for wedding arrangements, police stated, adding that the victim and the woman were married.

 

"The accused woman, acting as the bride, gained the complainant's trust before stealing gold ornaments, a laptop, and other valuables worth Rs 4,56,000 from his house," police said. A case was registered under Sections 318(4), (Cheating) and 303 (2), (Theft) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The arrested individuals have been identified as Neha Khandelwal, alias Jannat (22), who posed as the bride, and Kesarimal Laxmilal Ranka (45). "The investigation has revealed that the arrested accused have committed similar crimes in Ahilyanagar, Jogeshwari, Borivali, and Jalgaon," police said, adding that further investigation is underway.