Romance Scam Alert: $645K Fraud & Fake Death Scheme Exposed

• romance-scams
• matrimonial-fraud
• international-dating-crime

Australian lecturer charged in massive romance scam targeting 3,194 women on dating platforms. Learn how criminals exploit matrimonial sites and fake deaths to steal life savings.

Sophisticated Romance Scam Network Exposed

Indian police have arrested Dr Abhishek Shukla, a 44-year-old former Australian university lecturer, for allegedly defrauding a woman of approximately $645,000 through an elaborate romance scam that culminated in faking his own death. The case reveals the sophisticated operations of criminals who systematically target vulnerable individuals on matrimonial platforms, exploiting emotional connections to facilitate large-scale financial fraud.

The investigation uncovered evidence that Dr Shukla contacted at least 3,194 women on Shaadi.com, one of India's largest matrimonial websites, suggesting a systematic approach to identifying and targeting potential victims. This scale of operation indicates professional criminal activity rather than opportunistic fraud, with careful victim selection and relationship cultivation designed to maximise financial extraction opportunities.

Dr Shukla allegedly operated under the false identity of 'Dr Rohit Oberoi', describing himself as an Australian of Indian origin to establish credibility with his primary victim. The sophisticated nature of this impersonation, combined with his legitimate academic credentials and public profile, enabled him to create convincing romantic relationships that appeared genuine to victims seeking authentic connections through matrimonial services.

Exploitation of Vulnerable Life Transitions

The primary victim, a 40-year-old divorced woman who had received approximately $900,000 in alimony, represents the demographic profile commonly targeted by romance scammers: individuals experiencing significant life transitions with substantial financial resources and emotional vulnerability. Her decision to join Shaadi.com reflected a genuine desire for a fresh start and authentic relationship, making her particularly susceptible to manipulation by skilled criminals.

Dr Shukla allegedly exploited the victim's business aspirations, specifically her plan to develop mindfulness and spirituality programs for school children with international expansion goals. By positioning himself as a potential business partner and mentor, he created multiple emotional and professional connections that justified substantial financial requests while appearing to support her legitimate career objectives.

The $645,000 transferred to accounts in India and Singapore was allegedly solicited under the pretence of business funding and international expansion support. This business partnership angle provided apparent legitimacy for large financial transfers while exploiting the victim's professional ambitions alongside her romantic interests, creating a comprehensive manipulation strategy that addressed multiple psychological vulnerabilities.

The Fake Death Deception Strategy

Following receipt of the fraudulent funds, Dr Shukla allegedly claimed a mouth cancer diagnosis to explain reduced communication and create sympathy that discouraged questioning of his changed behaviour. This medical deception served dual purposes: establishing plausible reason for withdrawal while generating emotional responses that prevented critical evaluation of the relationship's authenticity.

The elaborate fake death scheme involved a third party, allegedly calling themselves Vincent Kuan, contacting the victim in September 2024 to report Dr Rohit Oberoi's death. This final deception was designed to permanently end the relationship while preventing the victim from seeking contact or investigating inconsistencies that might reveal the fraud's true nature.

The victim's growing suspicions and decision to verify the death report with police assistance demonstrate the importance of seeking external verification when relationships involve substantial financial transfers followed by suspicious communication changes. Her friend's advice to verify details proved crucial in exposing the fraudulent scheme and initiating criminal investigation.

Criminal Profile and International Operations

Dr Shukla's legitimate academic background as a business lecturer at Charles Darwin University, combined with his doctorate in international business and strategic management from the University of Melbourne, provided credible professional credentials that enhanced his ability to deceive educated victims. His published academic work on small business internationalisation may have informed his understanding of international financial transfers and business development narratives used in his fraud schemes.

His cultivation of a public persona as an innovator, filmmaker, and entrepreneur created additional legitimacy for his romantic and business partnership claims. The irony of his film 'Social Media Murder Society', which explored how social media users expose themselves to manipulative strangers, suggests either sophisticated criminal psychology or remarkable lack of self-awareness regarding his own predatory behaviour.

The international nature of Dr Shukla's operations, spanning Australia, Singapore, and India, demonstrates the complex jurisdictional challenges facing law enforcement in pursuing romance scam criminals. His arrest in Mumbai following travel from Singapore indicates ongoing international movement that may have facilitated additional criminal activities across multiple jurisdictions.

Detection and Prevention Strategies

Romance scam detection requires understanding that legitimate relationships develop gradually without immediate financial requests, particularly for business investments or emergency situations. Any request for substantial financial transfers early in online relationships should trigger immediate suspicion and independent verification through trusted advisors or law enforcement agencies.

Verification procedures for online romantic interests should include video calls, meeting in person when geographically feasible, and independent research of claimed professional credentials and background information. Sophisticated criminals may create elaborate online profiles, but inconsistencies often emerge under careful scrutiny or independent verification attempts.

The psychological manipulation employed in romance scams exploits genuine emotional needs and professional aspirations, making victims reluctant to question relationships that appear to address multiple personal objectives. Awareness that criminals specifically target these vulnerabilities helps potential victims maintain appropriate scepticism during relationship development.

Response Procedures for Suspected Romance Fraud

Individuals who suspect involvement in romance scams should immediately cease financial transfers, document all communications and financial transactions, and report suspected fraud to local police and relevant financial crime authorities. Early reporting enables investigation while evidence remains available and may prevent additional victim targeting by the same criminal networks.

Financial institutions should be contacted immediately when romance scam involvement is suspected, as they may be able to halt pending transfers or provide fraud protection services. Some jurisdictions offer victim compensation programs for fraud losses, though recovery rates remain limited due to the international nature of most romance scam operations.

The emotional trauma associated with romance scam victimisation often requires professional counselling support alongside practical recovery measures. Victims experience betrayal trauma that extends beyond financial losses to encompass profound violations of trust and emotional manipulation that can affect future relationship capacity and overall psychological wellbeing.