For over two years, 34-year-old Satyajit Managobind Samal allegedly targeted women on matrimonial sites and apps, luring them into relationships and then defrauding them out of lakhs of rupees. On Friday, his scheme unraveled.
The Bhubaneswar Police arrested Samal, who they identified as Satyajit Managobind Samal, for reportedly victimizing at least 50 women in the state, many of whom were divorced. According to the police, Samal, from Jajpur, was apprehended in an upscale locality in Bhubaneswar after a senior female police officer posed as one of his victims to help trap him, police sources reported.
The arrest followed complaints from two women.
Conman’s Foul Play
Samal would allegedly introduce himself as a police officer or an Intelligence Bureau officer seeking potential matches on matrimonial sites. After gaining their trust, he would request large sums of money for a supposed new business and would then blackmail and threaten them if they asked for repayment.
The police discovered that Samal had marriage agreements with at least four women, including the two who filed complaints.
“After we checked his details in the matrimonial app, we came to know that he was in touch with at least 49 women. Besides two women who have already lodged FIRs, we contacted two others from outside Odisha with whom he has marriage agreements. He mostly targeted divorced women,” Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner Sanjeeb Panda told The Indian Express.
Samal allegedly used the money to purchase cars and lease them to taxi services, as well as to support a “lavish lifestyle,” frequently flying to Dubai, police said.
“Since the accused used to fly to Dubai frequently, it was a challenge for us to arrest him,” Panda noted.
The investigation began after a woman lodged a complaint at Bhubaneswar’s Capital Police Station on February 26.
In her complaint, the woman said she met Samal through a matrimonial site and that he eventually “forced” her into a sexual relationship “on the promise of marriage.” He then began demanding money. She claimed to have lent him a total of Rs 36 lakh—including a new car—by taking loans from various banks. When she asked for repayment, he allegedly threatened her.
The second complaint, also filed in Bhubaneswar, was similar, with this complainant stating she loaned him roughly Rs 11 lakh.
How The Arrest Went Down:
According to police sources, the senior female officer pretended to be seeking a prospective partner on a matrimonial site and chatted with Samal for three months. Once she gained his trust, she asked to meet him and requested his address. After he provided it, the police arrested him.
“We have arrested the accused with sufficient evidence of cheating and other allegations mentioned in the FIR. We are trying to locate his other victims and get them to join the investigation,” said a senior police officer.
Purported videos and chats with victims were found on the suspect’s phone, the officer said, adding that there are allegations he threatened some women with a weapon.
Police reported seizing cash worth Rs 2.1 lakh, a four-wheeler and a Bullet motorcycle, a small firearm and ammunition, three mobile phones, and two marriage certificates. They also froze bank accounts containing Rs 1.75 lakh.