2 min readPuneMar 1, 2026 08:49 PM ISTAccording to the police, the fraudster took Rs 42 lakh from the complainant over a period of one year, during which he repeatedly sought money on various pretexts after promising to marry her.Posing as a scientist with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), a habitual online impersonator allegedly duped a 30-year-old IT professional from Pune of Rs 42 lakh after connecting with her on a well-known matrimonial website and promising to marry her. Police said the suspect used the money to fund his gambling addiction.A First Information Report (FIR) was registered on Saturday at the Wakad police station under the Pimpri Chinchwad police, based on a complaint filed by the woman, who works with a multinational IT company in Pune.According to the police, the fraudster took Rs 42 lakh from the complainant over a period of one year, during which he repeatedly sought money on various pretexts after promising to marry her.The complainant stated that she had connected with the man’s profile, in which he identified himself as an ISRO scientist and claimed to be a resident of Navi Mumbai. As the two began communicating, he promised marriage. Subsequently, he started asking for money, citing reasons such as professional training and upgrading skills required for his work at ISRO, officials said.Over the year, the suspect allegedly manipulated the victim into transferring Rs 42 lakh for these fake reasons. When the complainant began pressing him about the marriage, he continued to offer excuses, following which she realised she had been cheated and approached the police.An officer from Wakad police station said, “We have received information that the suspect in this case is a habitual online impersonator. He has duped multiple women in the past posing as an ISRO scientist.He has recently been arrested by Rabale police station in Navi Mumbai. Once their probe concludes, we will seek the suspect’s custody. Investigation suggests that the suspect had been using the proceeds of the crime for his gambling addiction. Further probe is on.”Police said further investigation is underway.Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:pune