A complaint filed by a woman on a matrimonial platform has led Ahmedabad Crime Branch to what investigators describe as a sprawling case of identity fraud and deception. Police have arrested 44-year-old Karim Rafiqbhai Sipahi, who allegedly posed as a Hindu businessman named “Aditya Patel” and used the fabricated identity to befriend, manipulate and financially exploit women seeking companionship and marriage.
The investigation has already revealed a significant trail of evidence. According to police, data linked to more than 100 women was recovered from the accused’s mobile phone. Investigators also found photographs and videos stored on the device, a discovery that has widened the scope of the probe and raised fresh questions about the scale of the alleged operation.
Officials say Karim created profiles on matrimonial websites under the name Aditya Patel and projected himself as a successful Hindu entrepreneur. Investigators believe he specifically targeted women who were living alone, widowed or searching for a life partner. By presenting himself as a financially secure widower looking to rebuild his life after personal tragedy, he allegedly cultivated trust among women seeking long-term relationships.
How the Alleged Scheme Operated
According to investigators, the accused followed a calculated and consistent pattern. Contact was first established through matrimonial platforms, after which conversations gradually became more personal. Police say he invested time in building emotional connections and convincing women that his intentions were genuine.
To strengthen his credibility, Karim allegedly portrayed himself as a wealthy businessman with an affluent lifestyle. Investigators say he shared photographs depicting luxury and financial success, including claims of owning a bungalow and other assets. He also allegedly told women that his wife had died and that he had no heir, a story that police believe helped him gain sympathy and emotional trust.
Once relationships deepened, communication reportedly shifted to private channels. Investigators allege that the accused maintained regular contact and, in some instances, sent gifts to women to reinforce the image of a sincere prospective partner.
Marriage Promises and Financial Demands
Police state that after trust had been established, he began seeking money under various pretexts, including business investments and financial requirements. Investigators are examining instances in which women allegedly handed over cash, vehicles and other valuable assets after being promised marriage and a shared future.
The Crime Branch has also uncovered what it describes as a key component of the alleged deception: forged identity documents. According to investigators, Karim possessed documents in the name of Aditya Patel, including an Aadhaar card, PAN card, driving licence and passport. Police believe these documents played a crucial role in maintaining the fabricated identity and convincing victims that the persona was genuine.
Focus Shifts to Possible Accomplices
As the investigation progresses, authorities are attempting to establish the full extent of the fraud, including the total financial losses and the number of women affected. Police are also probing how the forged documents were obtained and whether others assisted in creating them.
Investigators are now examining the possibility of a broader network that may have facilitated the alleged operation. Determining who helped procure the forged documents and whether additional individuals played a role in sustaining the scheme has become a central focus of the inquiry.
Karim Sipahi remains in police custody while the investigation continues. What began as a single matrimonial complaint has now evolved into a far-reaching probe involving alleged identity fraud, forged documentation, financial deception and evidence linked to more than 100 women, making it one of the most significant matrimonial fraud cases currently under investigation in Ahmedabad.
