Buxar: Buxar Police have busted an organised gang involved in marriage fraud, arresting eight people including a fake bride. The arrested include four women and four men who allegedly carried out staged marriages to cheat victims of cash and jewellery.
According to police, the accused included the woman posing as the bride, her family members and even an accomplice who acted as a fake police officer. Investigations revealed that the woman presented as the bride was already married and a mother of two.
The case came to light when Rama Devi, a resident of Kanpur, travelled to Buxar to arrange the marriage of her brother-in-law Vinay. The family was introduced to a woman presented as a prospective bride, along with a fake Aadhaar card identifying her as “Sarita” from the Rajpur police station area.
However, during the investigation, police found that the woman’s real name is Neetu Devi, a resident of Ballia district. She was already married and allegedly part of the fraud along with her mother Meena Devi and other associates. Haider Khan, a resident of Tarkpurwa, reportedly played a key role by posing as a police officer during the execution of the scam.
Rama Devi filed a complaint at the Mufassil police station, alleging that the accused duped her of Rs 40,000 in cash and jewellery under the pretext of marriage. Acting on the complaint, police launched a swift investigation and uncovered the entire network.
Police said the gang followed a well-planned modus operandi. A woman from the group would pose as the bride, while other members acted as her relatives. After the marriage ceremony and collection of money and valuables, a fake police officer would suddenly arrive, creating panic. Taking advantage of the chaos, the accused would flee with the cash and jewellery.
Buxar Superintendent of Police Shubham Arya said a special team was formed immediately after receiving the complaint. The team arrested eight accused, including the fake bride, while raids are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang.
Police have recovered Rs 38,500 in cash, gold and silver jewellery, and mobile phones from the accused. Further investigation is underway to identify other cases linked to the gang.
The incident has caused concern in the district, with police urging people to thoroughly verify details before proceeding with marriage arrangements to avoid falling victim to such fraud.
