According to police officials, the complainant came across an astrologer’s page on Instagram on December 5, 2022.

“As the complainant was struggling to get a job… he also wanted to get married to a girl but things were not working out between them, so he wanted to know about his future due to which he got attracted to the page and started inquiring more,” said an officer. The astrologer initially asked him to transfer online Rs 101 and claimed that he will resolve his problem within three days.

Subsequently, on December 10, 2022, the astrologer reached out to him again and alleged that the problem was bigger than he thought and a Dubai-based maulana will help him.

“The maulana then alleged that there is an evil spirit around him (complainant) that wants to spoil his career. The self-proclaimed godman asked him to stop answering the calls of his girlfriend for the next few days after which he went on to ask for money,” said the officer.

Later, under different pretexts like performing a ritual, the maulana kept asking him for more money. Till January 23, 2023, the gym trainer had already spent Rs 1.99 lakh. However, on January 26, the maulana got in touch with the complainant again and asked him for more money for conducting a ritual of sacrificing eight goats.

The police said that the complainant then discussed the matter with his friends and relatives and realised that he had been duped.

A case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to cheating was registered Wednesday.