Mumbai Crime: 25-Year-Old Software Engineer Loses ₹12.21 Lakh In Online Astrology App Scam | File Pic (Representative Image)
A 25-year-old software engineer lost Rs 12.21 lakh in an online astrology app scam. The Western Cyber Police registered a case on March 24.
About The Case
According to the FIR, the victim, V.K. Ramekbal, 25, resides in Bandra East and works in BKC (Bandra Kurla Complex) as a software engineer. Out of curiosity, in January 2023, he downloaded the ‘Divine Talk’ app and occasionally checked it to read about his future. In August 2024, he faced issues related to his career, personal life, and instability, which led him to rely more on the app.
In January 2025, Ramekbal contacted an astrologer named ‘Nishant’ through the app. Nishant claimed that all his problems could be solved through special puja rituals for just Rs.6,300, payable via UPI. After making the payment, Ramekbal was informed that ‘Bade Maharaj’ would speak to him to resolve his problems. Subsequently, he was asked to pay Rs 15,300 to complete the tantric rituals. When Ramekbal questioned the additional payment, he was told that his previous payment was only a consultancy fee and that the new amount was required for the rituals. He agreed and transferred the amount via UPI.
Soon after, another Rs 28,000 was demanded for the next step of the procedure. Ramekbal transferred money but requested photographs of the rituals. That night, at around 11:00 pm, Bade Maharaj called again, claiming that the puja was incomplete and demanded Rs.20,000 more. Although hesitant, Ramekbal transferred the amount.
When Ramekbal expressed his reluctance to continue with the rituals, he was threatened by Bade Maharaj, who claimed that his life would be in danger if the rituals were not completed. Out of fear, Ramekbal transferred another Rs 20,000. The demands for money continued, and when his funds ran out, he was asked to use his credit card through a link provided by the fraudsters. In total, he transferred around Rs 9.80 lakh using his credit card.
Even after this, the demands persisted. Bade Maharaj told Ramekbal that if the puja remained incomplete, three sadhus would die, and he would die as well. Terrified, Ramekbal tried borrowing money from his friends, who then made him realise he was being scammed.
When Ramekbal contacted the app’s customer care, he spoke to a woman named Noori Pandey, who offered to help him complete the rituals and provided three meditation sessions. However, when he asked for a refund, she refused. After checking the app’s reviews on Google, Ramekbal discovered that several other people had been scammed in a similar manner. By then, he had already lost Rs 12.21 lakh.
Finally, he approached the police and filed a complaint. The Cyber Police have registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act.
