Wedding Heist: 23-Year-Old Woman Accused of Marrying 25 Men in 7 Months Arrested
Anuradha Paswan, widely dubbed the “looting bride” or looteri dulhan in local media, has been arrested by police in India after allegedly conning at least 25 men through fake marriages. Her scheme involved adopting new identities, marrying unsuspecting men, and fleeing with valuables shortly after winning the trust of her victims and their families.
According to police, Paswan operated with a clear plan and moved frequently from city to city. With every move, she changed her name, background story, and identity. Once established in a new location, she sought out men looking for marriage, often through informal matchmaking agents, and pretended to be the perfect bride.
Her approach was methodical. She would behave as the ideal wife and daughter-in-law — affectionate, respectful, and helpful — only to disappear days later with family jewellery, cash, electronics, and other valuables.
The Persona of a Helpless Woman
Paswan built her deception around a recurring narrative: that she was a poor, vulnerable woman with no parents and only an unemployed brother to rely on. She claimed she wanted to settle down and start a family but lacked the financial means to do so.
This backstory made her appear sympathetic and relatable, especially in traditional communities where arranged marriages are common. In reality, she was leading a criminal network that specialized in orchestrating fraudulent marriages.
Her accomplices acted as intermediaries — posing as marriage brokers or extended family members — and presented her profile to potential grooms. These intermediaries charged a fee for their services, further profiting from the deception.
Staged Marriages and Betrayal
Once a match was arranged, the couple would go through a formal-looking wedding, usually conducted in a local place of worship or even at home. Everything about the event appeared legitimate — including signed agreements, ceremonial rituals, and witness participation.
After the wedding, Paswan would stay with the groom’s family for a few days. During this time, she worked hard to build emotional connections with every member of the household. She cooked meals, performed chores, and portrayed herself as devoted and sincere.
Once the family had fully accepted her, she would carry out the final part of her plan: drugging the family’s food or drinks to make them sleep deeply. While they were unconscious, she would flee with anything of value — including jewellery, cash, and mobile phones — leaving no trace.
A Victim’s Story: Vishnu Sharma
One of her recent victims, Vishnu Sharma, lives in the town of Sawai Madhopur in northern India. On April 20, Sharma married Paswan, who at the time claimed to be from the neighboring state of Madhya Pradesh. The ceremony was witnessed by family and friends and followed traditional customs.
The marriage had been arranged through a broker, to whom Sharma paid a significant fee. Less than two weeks after the wedding, Paswan disappeared. She took with her family jewellery, a substantial amount of cash, and a smartphone.
“I run a small street food cart and had to borrow money to get married,” Sharma told local media. “I even borrowed the phone she took. I never imagined I was being tricked.”
Sharma recalled that on the night she fled, he returned home late, had dinner, and went to bed. “I don’t usually sleep deeply, but that night I slept as if I had been drugged,” he said.
His mother, who also bonded with Paswan during her stay, remains in shock. The family filed a police report shortly after discovering she had vanished with their possessions.
Police Go Undercover to Capture the Suspect
Using the information provided by Sharma, local police launched an undercover investigation. After identifying the matchmaking agents involved, the police set a trap using one of their own officers.
A male constable posed as a potential groom and was introduced to several “brides” by one of the same agents. Among the photos presented was Paswan. Further investigation revealed that the documents used in her previous marriages — including identification papers and consent forms — were fake.
With the trap in place, police arranged a meeting between the officer and Paswan. Believing she had found her next target, she agreed to the match. Authorities arrested her in the city of Bhopal before she could carry out another fraud.
A Larger Network Under Scrutiny
Paswan’s arrest has exposed a broader criminal network involving fake matchmakers, forged documents, and coordinated fraud. Authorities are now investigating her associates and tracing similar cases across the country.
The scale of the scam indicates that more victims are likely to come forward. Police are urging individuals to be cautious when entering marriages arranged through informal channels or intermediaries, especially when large sums of money or valuables are involved.
A Warning to the Public
This case highlights how organized criminal groups can exploit cultural norms and personal vulnerabilities for financial gain. Paswan used emotional manipulation and social conventions to gain access to homes, win trust, and steal from unsuspecting families.
Authorities stress the importance of verifying identities, consulting with registered marriage agencies, and avoiding unverified brokers when arranging marriages.
With Paswan now in custody, law enforcement continues to gather evidence and build cases against her collaborators. For the families affected, the arrest marks the first step toward justice, though the emotional and financial toll of the fraud may take far longer to heal.
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Wedding Heist: 23-Year-Old Woman Accused of Marrying 25 Men in 7 Months Arrested