Woman Arrested in Nagpur for Allegedly Marrying Eight Men and Extorting Lakhs; Caught While Targeting Ninth Victim

KalimNews | August 1, 2025 | Nagpur, Maharashtra : A shocking case has emerged from Nagpur, Maharashtra, where a woman identified as Sameera Fatima was arrested by police while allegedly attempting to marry a man for the ninth time. Authorities claim that Sameera had previously married eight men and extorted lakhs of rupees from them by posing as a helpless divorcee with a child. Her latest attempt to trap another victim was foiled when she was caught on July 29 at a tea shop during a meeting with a prospective groom.

Police investigations revealed that Sameera, who presents herself as a schoolteacher by profession, had been orchestrating this elaborate con for over 15 years. She was not acting alone; authorities suspect she is part of a wider, organized syndicate targeting wealthy, often married men, particularly within the Muslim community. Her modus operandi reportedly involved the use of matrimonial websites and social media platforms such as Facebook to identify and connect with potential victims. She would initiate contact through chats, WhatsApp, or video calls, and introduce herself as a divorced mother struggling to raise a child.

According to statements from law enforcement, once she gained the victim's sympathy and trust, she would proceed to marry him, often through a nikah (marriage contract). Post-marriage, she would begin demanding money under the threat of false legal claims, defamation, or personal ruin. Victims allege that she used both emotional blackmail and threats to extract significant sums of money—some paid through direct cash while others via bank transfers.

One former husband informed police that Sameera had taken ₹50 lakh from a single individual and ₹15 lakh from another. There are even allegations that she duped senior officials from the Reserve Bank of India using similar strategies. Her record of deception includes evading prior arrests, including an earlier incident where she avoided detention by falsely claiming to be pregnant.

The authorities have now registered a formal case and launched a detailed investigation to uncover the full scope of her operations, identify additional victims, and apprehend other members of the gang. They are also examining financial records to trace the flow of extorted funds and determine the exact amount defrauded.

This incident is not isolated. Similar cases from other parts of India have also surfaced. In September 2016, police in Bengaluru arrested a woman named Yasmin Banu, who had allegedly married seven men, extracted money, and then deserted them. She too used fabricated emotional appeals to trap wealthy men. Her crimes came to light after one of her former husbands, Imran, filed a complaint. He claimed she took ₹2.5 lakh before leaving him and had two children with him. Another complainant, Afzal, a realtor, stated he hired her as a receptionist and later married her, only to be extorted and left as well. Both men alleged threats and intimidation by her associates.

In another case from Kerala, a woman was arrested by Aryanad police as she was about to marry a local panchayat member. The groom became suspicious and discovered evidence of her previous multiple marriages in her bag just hours before the wedding. Upon alerting the police, she was immediately arrested, and an FIR was registered. The groom claimed he lost approximately ₹7.5 lakh in wedding-related expenses.

The Nagpur case has drawn significant public attention and raised concerns over the misuse of marriage as a front for financial exploitation. Police in multiple states are now exploring links between these cases to determine whether they are part of a broader network of such criminal activity. Investigations are ongoing to verify the total number of victims and to ensure accountability under relevant legal provisions.