Airoli: A 31-year-old woman from Airoli has allegedly been cheated of Rs 11.26 lakh by a fake astrologer she contacted online while seeking a solution to marital disputes. The accused allegedly took Rs 8.26 lakh through multiple financial transactions and obtained a gold necklace worth Rs 3 lakh by promising to resolve the differences between her and her husband.

Rabale police have registered a case against an unidentified accused under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and launched an investigation.

According to police, the woman, a resident of Sector 2 in Airoli, was experiencing frequent arguments with her husband. Hoping to resolve the domestic issues through astrology, she searched online for possible remedies and came across an advertisement for an astrologer displaying a mobile phone number.

When she contacted the number, the person allegedly assured her that he could permanently resolve the couple’s differences. Claiming that certain rituals and remedies were necessary, the accused allegedly gained her confidence and persuaded her to make payments.

Believing the promises, the woman transferred a total of Rs 8,26,500 on multiple occasions through different financial channels, including UPI transactions and a Bank of Baroda account.

The accused allegedly also obtained a 20-gram gold necklace valued at Rs.3 lakh, taking the total alleged fraud to Rs 11,26,500.

However, the marital disputes reportedly continued despite the payments and assurances. Realising that she had allegedly been cheated in the name of astrology, the woman approached Rabale police and lodged a complaint.

Police have registered a case under Section 318(4) of the BNS, which deals with cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property. Investigators are now working to identify and trace the accused and establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged fraud.