Surat: A married salesman from the city has been arrested following a complaint that he allegedly lured a Hindu NRI woman living in the United States into a relationship, converted her to Islam in Saudi Arabia, and fraudulently obtained cash, jewellery and property collectively valued at more than ₹1.10 crore.

Contact through online shopping

According to police, the 40-year-old victim, originally from Himmatnagar and currently residing in the US with her five-year-old daughter after a divorce in 2020, had been purchasing clothes online from a well-known showroom on Ghoddod Road in Surat.

During this period, the accused, identified as Ejaz Salim Patel, who worked there as a salesman and lived in Rampura, allegedly obtained her mobile number on the pretext of customer feedback. Police said he gradually established contact through frequent calls and messages and later developed a personal relationship with her.

Meeting and alleged conversion

Investigators stated that when the woman visited Hyderabad in January 2024, the accused met her at a hotel and allegedly obtained the key to her flat. In April 2024, he reportedly called her to Saudi Arabia, where she was allegedly converted and given a new name before an online marriage ceremony was conducted in May.

Alleged financial fraud and property transfer

Police said that after the marriage, the accused kept pressuring the victim to take him to the US, which did not happen as his visa was not approved. Later, the accused repeatedly demanded money and allegedly threatened the woman through WhatsApp and email, forcing her to transfer about ₹60 lakh.

He is also accused of taking 18 tolas of gold jewellery belonging to her brother during a visit to Indonesia and of unlawfully taking possession of a Hyderabad flat worth approximately ₹50 lakh that had been purchased in her name by her former husband.

Arrest and investigation

Following threats and abuse, the woman filed a complaint via email from the US, after which her brother approached the Lalgate police station. Police have since arrested Ejaz Salim Patel and seized his mobile phone and laptop.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused was already married. Further interrogation and investigation in the case are ongoing, police said. DeshGujarat