Mumbai woman booked for duping UK-based man of ₹15.72 lakh on marriage pretext
Synopsis
A Mumbai woman allegedly used a matrimonial website to build a cross-border relationship with a UK-based divorcee, extracting ₹15.72 lakh over a year through visa requests, an engagement ceremony, and emergency appeals — before the man discovered she had reportedly been married three times and had allegedly duped others the same way.
Key Takeaways
Rekha Hamir Solanki , 46 , has been booked under Section 420 IPC by D.N.
Nagar Police, Mumbai .
Complainant Amit Gadhvi , from Leicester, UK , alleges he was defrauded of ₹15.72 lakh (approximately 15,669 British Pounds ) between July 2020 and July 2021 .
The two connected on a matrimonial website; an alleged engagement ceremony was held in the UK in November 2020 .
Gadhvi also allegedly purchased an iPhone worth £1,200 for Solanki's daughter during the UK visit.
Solanki reportedly admitted to having been married three times when confronted; Gadhvi claims she concealed a further relationship.
Police are examining financial transactions and digital evidence; investigation is ongoing.
D.N. Nagar Police in Mumbai have registered a cheating case against a 46-year-old woman, Rekha Hamir Solanki, after a UK-based Indian-origin man alleged she fraudulently extracted more than ₹15.72 lakh from him by promising marriage while concealing details of her prior relationships. The case was registered under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code.
How the Alleged Fraud Unfolded
The complainant, Amit Gadhvi, originally from Jamnagar, Gujarat and currently residing in Leicester, United Kingdom, reportedly connected with Solanki through a matrimonial website in July 2020 — having created a profile following his divorce. Solanki allegedly introduced herself as a divorcee living in Andheri West, Mumbai, with a teenage daughter.
The two began communicating regularly over WhatsApp calls and messages, during which Solanki allegedly sought financial help on multiple pretexts — including visa expenses, air tickets, rent, personal needs, and emergencies. Gadhvi, believing the relationship was headed toward marriage, reportedly transferred funds to her via Western Union on several occasions between July 2020 and July 2021.
UK Visit and Engagement Ceremony
Solanki and her daughter reportedly travelled to the United Kingdom in November 2020, with Gadhvi allegedly having funded their visa and travel arrangements. During the visit, an engagement ceremony was allegedly held in the presence of friends and family. Gadhvi also allegedly purchased an iPhone worth approximately £1,200 for Solanki's daughter and provided cash and travel-related expenses during their stay. He claimed to have continued sending money even after Solanki returned to India.
In total, Gadhvi reportedly transferred 15,669 British Pounds, equivalent to approximately ₹15.72 lakh, across the period in question.
Suspicions Raised, Relationship Severed
According to the complaint, Gadhvi grew suspicious after mutual acquaintances allegedly informed him that Solanki had been involved in multiple marriages and had previously extracted money from other men on similar promises. When confronted, Solanki allegedly admitted to having been married three times. Gadhvi also claimed she had concealed an alleged relationship with another man.
Gadhvi stopped sending money in July 2021. Despite subsequent attempts by Solanki, her daughter, and her sister to persuade him to continue the relationship, he refused. He further alleged that he was subsequently blocked on WhatsApp by the accused.
Police Action and Investigation
D.N. Nagar Police have registered the case and initiated an investigation. Officials are currently examining financial transaction records and other evidence submitted by Gadhvi. The probe is ongoing, and no arrest has been reported thus far.
This case reflects a growing pattern of matrimonial fraud targeting the Indian diaspora, where trust built through online platforms and cross-border communication is allegedly exploited for financial gain. Investigators are expected to scrutinise the complete trail of digital and financial evidence before taking further action.
Point of View
With funds routed via Western Union and trust anchored by a staged engagement ceremony, adds layers that make verification difficult and recovery harder. What is notable here is the alleged pattern: if Gadhvi's claims about prior victims are borne out, this is not an isolated offence but a repeat operation. Police will need to establish whether other complainants exist, which could shift this from a single Section 420 case to something with graver implications. Matrimonial platforms, meanwhile, face renewed questions about verification standards for profiles.
NationPress
25 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mumbai matrimonial fraud case involving a UK-based man?
D.N. Nagar Police in Mumbai have registered a cheating case against Rekha Hamir Solanki , 46, after Amit Gadhvi — a UK-based Indian-origin man from Leicester — alleged she extracted approximately ₹15.72 lakh from him between 2020 and 2021 by promising marriage through a matrimonial website while concealing her past relationships.
How did the accused allegedly carry out the fraud?
According to the complaint, Solanki connected with Gadhvi on a matrimonial platform in July 2020, gained his trust through regular WhatsApp communication, and repeatedly sought money on pretexts including visa fees, travel costs, rent, and personal emergencies. She and her daughter reportedly visited the UK in November 2020, where an engagement ceremony was allegedly held, further deepening Gadhvi's trust before he eventually discovered her alleged history.
What charges have been filed against Rekha Solanki?
D.N. Nagar Police have registered a case under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to cheating. Investigation is currently underway, and police are examining financial transaction records and digital evidence.
How did Amit Gadhvi discover the alleged fraud?
Gadhvi reportedly grew suspicious after mutual acquaintances informed him that Solanki had allegedly been involved in multiple marriages and had obtained money from other men on similar pretexts. When confronted, Solanki allegedly admitted to having been married three times. Gadhvi stopped sending money in July 2021 and subsequently filed a complaint with police.
Is this type of matrimonial fraud common in India?
Matrimonial fraud targeting the Indian diaspora has been a recurring concern, with fraudsters exploiting trust built through online platforms and cross-border communication. This case follows a pattern where emotional vulnerability during partner searches is allegedly leveraged for financial gain, raising questions about verification standards on matrimonial websites.
