In a distressing case of betrayal and fraud, a 32-year-old widow from Coimbatore was allegedly swindled out of a massive sum of ₹10 lakh and seven sovereigns of gold jewellery by a man she met through a matrimonial website. The accused, identified as 38-year-old Rajkumar from Tirupur, presented himself as an unmarried businessman only to later be revealed as a married man living with his family.
The Deceptive Courtship and False Promises
The victim, who lost her husband in 2022 after being married in 2008, had her profile uploaded by her family on a matrimonial site in January this year. It was through this portal that she first came into contact with Rajkumar. He claimed to be an unmarried man running a business in Tirupur but residing alone in Ramanathapuram, Coimbatore.
Although the woman was initially hesitant about his proposal, Rajkumar persistently pursued her. He frequently called her, weaving promises of marriage and assuring her that he would take care of her and her two children. Eventually, swayed by his assurances, the woman agreed to the relationship.
The Systematic Financial Exploitation
Once he had gained her trust, Rajkumar began his scheme of financial exploitation. He started borrowing money from her, citing various reasons, and would occasionally return small amounts to maintain an illusion of credibility. This pattern continued until October, when he made his most significant demand.
Rajkumar told the woman he needed funds for a critical business investment. Trusting him completely, the widow handed over ₹10 lakh in cash along with seven sovereigns of gold jewellery. This transaction marked the peak of the deception.
The Harsh Truth and Police Action
After receiving the substantial cash and gold, Rajkumar's behaviour changed drastically. He began avoiding the woman's calls and messages. Alarmed, the victim started making inquiries and was shattered to discover the truth: Rajkumar was already married and was living with his wife and family in Tirupur.
Determined to confront him, the woman travelled to Tirupur. However, instead of an explanation or remorse, she was met with verbal abuse from Rajkumar and his family members. This traumatic experience left her with no choice but to seek legal recourse.
On Saturday, she lodged a formal complaint with the Coimbatore City Police Commissioner. In her complaint, she also revealed a chilling detail: a similar cheating case against Rajkumar is already under trial in the Coimbatore Additional Mahila Court. This suggests a potential pattern of predatory behaviour targeting vulnerable women.
The case highlights the dark risks associated with online matrimonial searches, especially for individuals in vulnerable situations. It underscores the importance of thorough background verification before committing emotionally and financially in relationships initiated on digital platforms. The Coimbatore police are now investigating the allegations against Rajkumar based on the widow's detailed complaint.
