Ahmedabad Crime Branch arrests ‘looteri dulhan' gang accused of duping men through fake marriages

The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has arrested three persons allegedly involved in a ‘looteri dulhan’ (robber brides) gang that targeted unmarried men by arranging sham marriages, after which the women allegedly fled with jewellery, cash and valuables, police said on Tuesday.

The accused were apprehended near Chandola Lake in Isanpur, on May 4 and have since been handed over to the Vadnagar Police in Mehsana district, where a case was registered in connection with the latest complaint.

The arrested accused have been identified as:

* Javedkhan alias Raju Mohammadkhan Makrani (36), resident of Himmatnagar;

* Nagmabanu, alias Nagma Sheikh (26), presently residing in Danilimda, Ahmedabad;

* Saniya Sheikh (23), originally from Nagpur and presently residing in Himmatnagar.

According to police, the gang allegedly targeted men seeking marriage and approached them with proposals through intermediaries. The women would assume false identities and provide fabricated names and addresses before entering into staged marriage ceremonies with the victims.

Soon after the marriage, police said, the women allegedly fled with cash, gold and silver ornaments from the matrimonial homes.

The arrests stem from a complaint registered at Vadnagar Police Station, where a victim alleged that after his marriage was arranged through the accused, the bride and her associates decamped with valuables and cash shortly thereafter.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused may be linked to several similar offences across multiple states.

Around four months ago, Saniya Sheikh allegedly posed as ‘Sonu’ and married a man in Barmer, Rajasthan, after which the gang allegedly collected

₹3 lakh and disappeared within five days.

Approximately one year ago, Nagma Sheikh allegedly assumed the identity ‘Priya’ and married a man in Bhabhar, Banaskantha, before fleeing with ₹2 lakh, jewellery and cash four days later.

About two years ago, Nagma allegedly used the name ‘Nirupa’ to marry a man in Bhavnagar, with the gang allegedly obtaining ₹50,000 through the fraudulent arrangement.

Police said four co-accused remain absconding and are wanted in connection with the racket. They have been identified as Alfaz, Hussain, Lala Thakor, and Rama Dabhi.

Investigators believe the gang operated across Gujarat and neighbouring states, using aliases and fabricated family relationships to pose as relatives of the brides during negotiations and ceremonies.

A case has been registered under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including cheating, criminal intimidation, assault and conspiracy.

Further investigation is under way to determine the full extent of the gang’s operations and identify additional victims who may have been defrauded through similar sham marriages.