Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh – In a disturbing case that has stirred Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, a man named Sharaf Rizvi from Farrukhabad was arrested on August 13, 2025, for allegedly posing as a Hindu man named Samrat Singh and marrying multiple Hindu women under pretenses. The Sarnath police took Rizvi into custody after a woman filed a complaint, accusing him of extorting ₹5 lakh and pressuring her to convert to Islam.
According to reports from The New Indian Express, Rizvi used fake identities, including names like Ajay Kumar and Vijay, to create profiles on matrimonial sites. He allegedly targeted Hindu women across Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, marrying at least 12 of them over time. Police investigations revealed that Rizvi would build trust with these women, marry them, and then demand money or push for religious conversion. In some cases, he reportedly exploited his victims after establishing physical relationships.
The case came to light when one victim, a Hindu woman from Varanasi, grew suspicious of Rizvi’s intentions. She reported him to the Sarnath police, who uncovered his pattern of deception. Authorities found evidence of multiple marriages and fraudulent activities, leading to charges of fraud, extortion, and cheating. The investigation is ongoing, with police looking into whether more women were affected across the three states.
This incident has sparked outrage, with many expressing anger over the betrayal of trust. The Uttar Pradesh police are now working to identify other potential victims and have urged women to come forward if they encountered Rizvi under his false identities. Authorities are also examining how he managed to operate undetected for so long, raising questions about online safety and verification processes on matrimonial sites.
This case has fueled discussions about trust and safety in relationships formed online. While the police continue their probe, the story serves as a stark reminder to stay cautious and verify identities when connecting with strangers. For now, Sharaf Rizvi remains in custody, and the victims are seeking justice as Varanasi grapples with the fallout of this unsettling deception.
