Vashi/Airoli: The city police have arrested a 30-year-old Home Guard deployed at Borivali railway station for allegedly cheating women of lakhs of rupees by posing as a prospective groom on a matrimonial website. His alleged accomplice, Akash Mohanlal Verma (26), has also been arrested for assisting in the fraud.

The prime accused, Nagesh Arjun Pawar, allegedly created a fake profile on Jeevansathi.com under the name 'Anvay Pawar', claiming to be highly educated, well-employed and residing in an upscale residential complex in Versova.

Police said, "Pawar befriended a Vashi-based woman, promised to marry her, and then allegedly took out a loan in her name, misappropriating the money. The woman reportedly suffered a loss of Rs. 6.25 lakh. Vashi police registered a case on October 2, 2026."

Acting under Senior Police Inspector Shashikant Chandekar's guidance, Inspector Pradeep Lande and the cyber team traced the accused to GCC North Side Hotel in Mira Road East. Both men were arrested on October 7.

Second woman loses Rs. 13.43 lakh

During the investigation, police uncovered another alleged case involving a civil engineer from Airoli. Pawar reportedly promised to marry her and collected Rs. 13.43 lakh under the pretext of investments and various expenses. Police said, "The total amount involved in the two cases has reached Rs. 29.68 lakh."

Investigators allege that Pawar transferred the fraud proceeds to Verma's bank account, from which the latter withdrew cash through ATMs and handed it over to Pawar. Three mobile phones worth Rs. 5.10 lakh were also allegedly purchased using the money.

Police have found similar cases registered against Pawar at Mumbai's RCF police station and Rohini police station in Delhi. Further investigation is underway to identify other potential victims.