In what might be one of the most bizarre fraud cases to hit Pune, a 40-year-old contractor found himself at the center of an elaborate scam that cost him a staggering ₹11 lakh. The fraudsters used a shocking proposition: promising lucrative government contracts in exchange for making a woman pregnant.
The Unusual Proposition
The contractor, hoping to secure tender contracts from the Public Works Department, responded to an online advertisement. What began as a professional inquiry quickly took a strange turn when the fraudsters presented their unusual condition.
"I want a man who will make me a mother," the woman allegedly told the contractor during their interactions. The scammers convinced him that this personal favor was necessary to secure the government contracts he desperately wanted.
The Elaborate Deception
The fraud unfolded over several months with scammers playing different roles to make the scheme appear legitimate:
- One posed as a high-ranking government official promising contracts
- Another acted as the woman seeking pregnancy
- Multiple accomplices played supporting roles to validate the story
The contractor, blinded by the promise of lucrative deals, transferred money multiple times between September 2023 and January 2024. The payments were made under various pretexts including processing fees, documentation charges, and other administrative costs.
The Reality Check
It was only when the contractor realized that neither the contracts materialized nor the promised meetings happened that he understood he'd been duped. The total financial damage: approximately ₹11,00,000 lost to the heartless scammers.
The case has been registered at the Hinjewadi police station under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for cheating and criminal conspiracy. Police are currently investigating the digital trail and financial transactions to identify the perpetrators.
A Warning for Job Seekers
This case highlights how fraudsters are constantly evolving their methods to exploit emotional vulnerabilities and financial aspirations. The Pune police have advised citizens to:
- Verify all job offers through official channels
- Never transfer money for promised employment
- Be wary of unusual conditions or requests
- Report suspicious offers immediately to authorities
As investigations continue, this bizarre case serves as a stark reminder that when an offer seems too good to be true – especially one with strange personal conditions – it probably is.
