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What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What began as a promise of love and marriage on a matrimonial website turned into a chilling tale of deception, financial fraud, and emotional exploitation, leading to the arrest of a Kolkata man accused of targeting at least 15 Hindu women across the state.
The Kolkata Police have arrested Matiur Rahman, a resident of Bowbazar in central Kolkata, for allegedly posing as an eligible bachelor on matrimonial platforms. He lured Hindu women into relationships, extracting money and valuables from them before disappearing.
Investigators now believe the accused may have married as many as 15 women as part of an elaborate fraud scheme.
According to police officials, Rahman operated under the alias “Manik Roy”, carefully crafting a false identity designed to gain the trust of prospective brides. Presenting himself as a highly paid professional earning nearly Rs 1.5 crore annually, he projected an image of financial success and stability. Such qualities made him an attractive match on matrimonial websites.
One of his alleged victims, a young woman from Naihati in North 24 Parganas, became the key complainant in the case. Drawn in by the prospect of marriage, she developed a relationship with the man and informed her family about their future plans. But as the relationship progressed, the dream slowly transformed into a nightmare.
According to her complaint, Rahman repeatedly began seeking financial assistance, citing a series of personal emergencies. Requests for money became increasingly frequent, accompanied by emotional pressure and urgent appeals. Trusting the man she believed she would soon marry, the woman handed over Rs 85,000 in cash, a gold bracelet, and other valuables.
Initially, nothing appeared suspicious.
However, cracks began to emerge in the carefully constructed facade. At one point, Rahman allegedly claimed that his maternal uncle had died and urgently needed money. He instructed the woman to transfer funds to a bank account supposedly linked to relatives in Mumbai. Yet, as she began verifying details, inconsistencies surfaced.
Further inquiries revealed that the accused’s roots were allegedly in East Burdwan district, not where he had claimed. The discovery intensified her doubts and prompted her to dig deeper into his background.
What she uncovered was startling. A search through social media led her to several other women who had interacted with the same man. When she contacted them, a disturbing pattern emerged. Many described nearly identical experiences—promises of marriage, emotional manipulation, demands for money, and eventual betrayal.
Investigators believe Rahman used the same script repeatedly, targeting women seeking genuine relationships through matrimonial platforms. Several women reportedly alleged that they had also been financially exploited, while some claimed he had even gone through marriage ceremonies with them.
The allegations suggest a calculated operation that exploited trust, social expectations, and the emotional vulnerability of individuals searching for life partners.
Armed with information from other victims, the Naihati woman approached the police and lodged a formal complaint. Acting on the complaint and preliminary findings, Kolkata Police arrested Rahman on 2nd June, 2026.
Authorities are now widening the investigation to identify additional victims and determine the full scale of the alleged fraud. Police officials suspect that more women may have been targeted over the years and have urged anyone with similar experiences to come forward.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the growing risks associated with online matrimonial and dating platforms, where carefully curated identities can conceal sophisticated schemes of manipulation and exploitation. Behind the promise of companionship, investigators say, may sometimes lie individuals who view trust not as a bond—but as a weapon.
