Fake astrology scam: Rajasthan man held for targeting troubled couples

Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad city cybercrime police have arrested the alleged mastermind of an online fraud and sextortion racket that preyed on people seeking help for troubled relationships and marriage issues through fake astrology and “vashikaran” services, officials said on Monday.

The accused, identified as Vikas Bhargav of Gangashahar in Rajasthan’s Bikaner district, was detained from Jaipur and brought to Ahmedabad. A local court granted the cybercrime police his four days’ remand for further interrogation.

According to investigators, Bhargav and his associates allegedly operated several fake social media accounts, including an Instagram profile named “astrologer_pooja_kinnar_maa”, posing as astrologer and “Kinnar Guruma” Pooja to lure vulnerable people facing personal and marital problems.

Police said victims were convinced to share photographs and personal details on the pretext of astrology consultations, rituals and ‘vashikaran’ procedures. Cybercrime officials alleged that the photographs were later morphed and used to threaten victims with circulation on social media platforms unless money was paid.

Investigators further alleged that some victims were persuaded during video calls to remove their clothes in the name of “purification rituals”. The calls were allegedly screen-recorded and later used for blackmail and extortion.

In one complaint, a victim allegedly transferred Rs 1.43 lakh in multiple transactions after receiving threats from the accused. During the probe, police found that financial transactions worth nearly Rs 60 lakh had allegedly been carried out by the fraudsters over the last two years.

Officials suspect that more than 65 people may have been targeted. Investigators also found that around 300 mobile numbers had been contacted in the last month alone using different sim cards and fake accounts.

The arrest followed questioning of Rajnish Bhargav, who was detained earlier this month from Bikaner. Another accused, Ravi Bhargav, remains absconding.

Police said the accused used multiple sim cards, fake profiles and voice-modulation techniques to hide their identities. The case has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act.