In a shocking case of fraud and exploitation, a 43-year-old man named Biranchi Narayan Nath has been arrested in Odisha for allegedly marrying multiple women from various Indian states, creating explicit videos, and blackmailing them. Nath’s deceptive schemes primarily targeted vulnerable widows and divorcees through matrimonial websites, as reported by Indian media outlets.
Residing in Angul with his first wife and two children, Nath created fake profiles on matrimonial sites, posing as a high-ranking railway or tax officer to lure women seeking life partners. His victims were mostly middle-aged women, specifically widows and divorcees, who believed his false identity and intentions.
The elaborate scam unraveled when a woman from Cuttack, who had lost her husband in a tragic road accident in 2022, reported Nath to the police. The woman, seeking a fresh start and companionship, met Nath on a matrimonial website in 2023. Introducing himself as a railway ticket inspector named Pravakar Srivastav, Nath emotionally manipulated her into marrying him.
During their relationship, Nath secretly recorded explicit videos during their video calls, which he later used to extort and blackmail the woman. A senior officer from the Odisha Crime Branch explained, “He exploited her both financially and physically for five months, extorting INR 500,000 and 32 grams of gold.”
As authorities delved deeper into the case, they uncovered that Nath had used fake identities to con at least 15 women from states including Rajasthan, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Delhi. Nath’s pattern of deceit involved posing as a government official to gain trust, marrying the victims, and subsequently extorting them through threats of public humiliation via explicit videos.
Multiple cases of cheating, forgery, and extortion have been registered against Nath in various states. His arrest has brought attention to the growing need for caution on matrimonial platforms, particularly for those in vulnerable situations. Police are continuing their investigation to determine the full extent of his crimes and to assist any additional victims who have not yet come forward.
This disturbing case has sent ripples across the country, highlighting the importance of verifying identities in online relationships and ensuring stronger safeguards for vulnerable individuals seeking companionship through digital platforms.
