CRIME: Dwarf posing as another man on Facebook arrested in Hyderabad for swindling woman

Hyderabad, Nov 7 (IANS) A man who is suspected of misleading a woman on Facebook before stealing more than $5,000 worth of money and gold from her was arrested Wednesday, police said.

The cyber crime unit of the national Crime Investigation Department arrested Rajapathi, 31, a resident of Bowenpally neighbourhood, for allegedly cheating the woman, 22, out of nearly $5,500 and gold ornaments weighing about 500 grams total.

Police took up the investigation after the victim lodged a complaint last month.

Additional Director General of Police S.V. Ramana Murthy said that Rajapathi lured the alleged victim through both Facebook and Bharatstudent.com.  Rajapathi, a dwarf, used a fake photo on his profile, which cops say he downloaded.

Rajapathi, a school dropout, proposed marriage, to which the woman agreed. During their correspondence, the woman, from Guntur, informed Rajapathi that her parents had set aside money and gold for her marriage.

Citing kidney ailment, Rajapathi gained the woman’s sympathy and requested financial support. Police say she gave the money and gold on different dates between January and October 2012.

Rajapathi, posing as a friend of the man who befriended her over the Internet, travelled to Guntur to collect the money and gold. The suspect would tell the woman that his friend was undergoing treatment in hospital.

Besides cash, jewellery and ornaments, police also seized a laptop, a datacard and two mobile phones from the accused.

Cops say Rajapathi also admitted that he was in contact with two more women and was about to cheat them in the name of ill-health.

Tags: Crime, India