Nagpur police arrested 35-year-old Sameera Fatima, dubbed the ‘looteri dulhan’ (con bride), on July 29 at a tea shop in the Civil Lines area. She was reportedly trying to ensnare her next victim, her ninth when authorities, along with one of her former husbands, laid a successful trap.

According to reports, Sameera is a teacher by profession. She is accused of marrying at least eight men over the past 15 years. She is further accused of extorting large sums of money from them through deceit, blackmail, and legal threats. She had been on the run for several months before her arrest.

Carefully Orchestrated Scam Spanning 15 Years

The police officials stated, Sameera operated with precision, targeting mostly affluent, already married Muslim men. She would approach them via matrimonial websites and social media platforms. She presented herself as a widowed or divorced schoolteacher with a child, in search of companionship.

The authorities explained that once trust was gained, she would press for a quick registered nikah (Islamic marriage). However, after marriage her behavior would drastically change. She allegedly began mentally harassing her partners, secretly recording conversations. She further edited the recordings to create misunderstandings or build false cases of harassment and adultery.

Extortion Through Threats and Manipulation

After trapping the victims, Sameera reportedly demanded money in exchange for withdrawing police complaints or avoiding public embarrassment. One of the complainants told police she extorted Rs 50 lakh from one victim and Rs 15 lakh from another, with payments made both through bank transfers and cash.

In some cases, she is said to have targeted high-profile individuals, including officers associated with the Reserve Bank of India. The total amount defrauded is suspected to be significantly higher.

Wider Gang Operation Under the Scanner

Authorities believe Sameera was not working alone. Investigations indicate she may have been operating as part of a larger network that used marriage as a cover for blackmail and financial exploitation.

“She was very methodical in her approach, carefully selecting victims and spinning convincing stories to win sympathy,” said a senior police official. “She would identify and reach out to potential victims through matrimonial websites and social media platforms such as Facebook,” an official said, adding, “Often, she introduced herself as a divorcee with a child, using fabricated stories to gain sympathy and trust.”

Tried Evading Arrest with False Pregnancy Claim

This isn’t the first time Sameera has managed to evade the law. In an earlier attempt to avoid arrest, she falsely claimed to be pregnant. However, her luck ran out on July 29 when she was apprehended at the popular Dolly Ki Tapri tea stall.

Police have now registered a formal case and are continuing investigations to identify other potential victims and uncover her network of accomplices.

Pathan, working with his lawyer and the police, helped arrest her on Wednesday. Pathan told TOI that Fatima had approached him to withdraw the FIR against her. “I spoke with my lawyers and the cops, and decided to call her to the high court on the pretext of retracting the FIR,” he said. During the court lunch break, when she stepped out to have tea at Dolly Ki Tapri in Civil Lines, she was nabbed by a police team at around 2pm.

Public Urged to Exercise Caution Online

Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious while using matrimonial websites and social media platforms for relationships, especially when financial demands or rushed marriage proposals are involved.

The case has sent shockwaves through the city, with police now working to bring all victims and collaborators to justice.