A year-long cyber fraud rooted in fear and blind faith has come to light in Chandigarh, where police arrested a man accused of cheating a woman of nearly ₹40 lakh by posing as a spiritual healer online. The accused allegedly targeted the victim during a period of emotional distress and manipulated her through fake religious claims on social media.
Cyber police said the accused, Rohit Bhargav, aged 25, is a resident of Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan. He was arrested after the victim filed a complaint last month, prompting a detailed technical investigation. Officials said the woman had been dealing with family related stress when she encountered advertisements on Facebook and Instagram offering spiritual healing and solutions to personal problems.
Investigators said Bhargav initially contacted the woman after she responded to one such advertisement. He introduced himself as a tantrik and gradually convinced her that her problems were caused by negative energies and supernatural forces. To deepen the deception, he later assumed another identity and posed as a maulvi, claiming urgent rituals were needed to protect her family from serious harm. Police said the accused carefully built trust before instilling fear to extract money.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Cyber Crime A. Venkatesh said the victim made multiple online payments over nearly 12 months, resulting in a total loss of around ₹40 lakh. The accused allegedly used emotional messages, voice calls and fabricated spiritual narratives to keep the victim engaged. After suspecting fraud, the woman approached cyber police, who traced digital evidence and financial transactions to Jhunjhunu. Mobile phones and other digital material were seized during the arrest and officials are checking bank records to identify other possible victims. Police said a chargesheet will be filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act, while further investigation continues. Citizens have been advised to remain cautious of online spiritual claims and report suspicious activity to the cybercrime helpline 1930.
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