Morbi: A young woman from Morbi, currently residing in Hyderabad, has lodged a police complaint after being defrauded of ₹8.5 lakh by a man she met through a matrimonial website. The accused, identified as Nimesh Babubhai Chotalia, a resident of Vile Parle, Mumbai, allegedly posed as her prospective fiancé and lured her into sending money under the pretext of financial distress.

According to the complaint filed at Morbi City A Division Police Station, the victim, Deeptiben Abhishekbhai Thakkar (36), had registered on the matrimonial website Jeevansathi.com in February 2024. There she connected with Nimesh Chotlia, and the two were in talks to marry after exchanging contact details.

Police said Chotalia told the woman that he was employed with Google’s parent company, Alphabet, but claimed he was facing financial problems after having to pay a penalty related to a project. On this pretext, he requested money from the complainant.

Believing him, Deepti transferred ₹8.5 lakh in installments to Chotlia’s bank account as well as through the accounts of her friends Hardik Rangpariya and Kamal Patadia. Some money was also transferred via his associate Chetan Mathur.

Soon after receiving the money, Chotalia switched off his phone and became untraceable. Realizing she had been cheated, the victim approached the police.

The police have registered a case of cheating and fraud against Nimesh Chotlia and launched an investigation.