Surat Diamond Worker Defrauded in Rs 1.7 Lakh Marriage Scam
In a distressing case of matrimonial fraud, a 43-year-old diamond industry professional from Surat has reportedly been cheated out of Rs 1.7 lakh. The Surat Police have officially registered a case against a matchmaker and the woman involved, after it was discovered she married another man shortly after the alleged wedding.
Details of the Alleged Fraud
According to the complaint filed with the Laskana police station, the victim, Vipul Timbadiya, works as a diamond manager for a private firm. The incident began in May of last year when Timbadiya, seeking to settle down, expressed his desire to get married to an acquaintance named Bhikhabhai at a friend's embroidery unit.
Bhikhabhai subsequently introduced Timbadiya to a matchmaker identified as Kamlesh Kamani. Police reports indicate that Kamani later arranged a match with a woman named Sonal Chauhan. On September 28, Chauhan, accompanied by Kamani, his wife, and her younger brother, visited Timbadiya's residence in Surat.
The Marriage Arrangement and Financial Demands
After both parties agreed to the union, the marriage was finalized. During this process, Kamani allegedly informed Timbadiya that Chauhan had no living parents and required financial assistance to support her younger brother. Believing this story, Timbadiya proceeded to pay a total of Rs 1.7 lakh through a combination of cash and online transactions.
The couple officially got married on October 2. However, the situation took a suspicious turn months later when Kamani contacted Timbadiya on March 3, claiming that his son had been hospitalized in Rajkot. He requested that Chauhan be sent to Rajkot to assist.
The Discovery of the Second Marriage
After Chauhan left for Rajkot, she reportedly stopped responding to Timbadiya's phone calls and messages. The truth began to unravel when a relative of Timbadiya's saw photographs on social media showing Chauhan participating in a second marriage ceremony.
Further investigation revealed that Chauhan had married another man, identified as Rajesh Padaliya from Jasdan, on March 15—just days after leaving Timbadiya's home under false pretenses.
Police Action and Legal Proceedings
Upon discovering the deception, Timbadiya immediately approached the Laskana police station to file a formal complaint. The police have since registered a case against both Sonal Chauhan and matchmaker Kamlesh Kamani for their alleged roles in the fraudulent scheme.
This case highlights the vulnerabilities individuals can face in matrimonial arrangements and serves as a cautionary tale about conducting thorough background checks before committing to such significant life decisions.
