Mumbai: An elderly woman from south Mumbai was duped of Rs 88,000 by a man posing as an astrologer offering relationship and family healing services through social media. According to the police, 72-year-old, a retired BMC clerk came across astrology and relationship-healing posts on Instagram and Facebook in early Nov 2025. On November 4, she contacted a mobile number mentioned in an online advertisement, following which a man identifying himself as Ravi Bhargava from Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, spoke to her.The complainant alleged that Bhargava initially charged Rs 199 for astrological advice, which she paid via Google Pay. He later demanded additional amounts on various pretexts, including puja, hom-havan, and ritual guidance related to her son’s personal life. Between November 6 and November 8, 2025, she transferred multiple payments ranging from Rs 7,777 to Rs 40,000 to a Google Pay-linked mobile number, totalling Rs 87,176.
When Thakur sought proof of the rituals and requested a refund, the accused allegedly avoided her calls and denied returning the money. Suspecting fraud, she later approached the police and lodged a complaint.
