In a major crackdown on cyber and matrimonial fraud, Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday arrested a man in Varanasi for impersonating an Indian Army officer and cheating over 25 women across multiple states out of approximately ₹40 lakh over a span of six years.
The accused, identified as Dayali Uppal, hails from NTPC Police Station area in Pedapalli district of Telangana. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Saravanan Thangamani, Uppal operated by creating fake profiles on matrimonial websites under the names Major Amit and Major Joseph, using counterfeit ID cards, uniforms, and medals to build false credibility.
“He used forged IDs of the Indian Army, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the Territorial Army, and the Jammu & Kashmir Police. Fake nameplates and army uniforms were recovered from him. He even printed fake documents using specialized paper and printing machines,” said DCP Thangamani.
Police said Uppal not only defrauded women financially but also married at least three of them under false identities. His arrest came after a woman from Chandauli district, currently living in Varanasi, filed a complaint when he refused to legalise their marriage or provide valid identification.
During interrogation, Uppal confessed to having deceived women from several states including Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.
“I used different fake names and identities to trap women into relationships and extract money. I searched for army officers’ IDs online and created my own using a printer. I even purchased a fake pistol to make my persona more convincing,” the accused admitted.
He added that he would talk to several women simultaneously, often while living with one of his victims. In one instance, he had taken nearly ₹6 lakh from a bank officer whom he had married under a false name.
Authorities have filed an FIR against Uppal under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act. Police have also recovered several incriminating materials including fake IDs, uniforms, medals, and a printer used for fabricating documents.
Further investigation is underway to identify and assist other victims defrauded by the accused.
