A disturbing cyber fraud case from Ahmedabad has exposed how fake astrology and “spiritual healer” profiles are being used to trap vulnerable people online. Police said a young woman contacted an Instagram profile named “Astrologer Pooja Kinnar Maa” for help with a personal relationship issue. The accused allegedly used the language of rituals, trust and emotional weakness to pull her deeper into the scam.
According to investigators, the accused first asked for photos on the pretext of performing rituals, then morphed the images and threatened to circulate them. Police said the victim was later pressured into an explicit video call for a so-called cleansing ritual, which was recorded and used for blackmail. She allegedly paid around ₹1.43 lakh before approaching Ahmedabad Cyber Crime.
How Did The Scam Work?
The scam worked because it did not start with a direct demand for money. It started with emotional manipulation. The accused allegedly posed as a transgender spiritual healer, relationship advisor and astrologer, offering solutions for love, marriage, divorce and personal problems. This gave the profile a false sense of authority and privacy, which made victims easier to control.
Police said the accused collected personal information, used multiple mobile numbers and stayed in continuous contact with victims. Once private photos or videos were obtained, the tone changed from “help” to threat. This is the classic sextortion pattern: trust first, private content next, fear after that, and money at the end.
What Are The Key Facts?
| Detail | Reported Information | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Ahmedabad cyber crime case | Shows urban online fraud risk |
| Main accused | Rajneesh/Rajnish Bhargava from Bikaner | Arrest made, two others absconding |
| Fake identity | “Pooja Kinnar GuruMa” / spiritual healer | Used religion and trust as cover |
| Victim payment | Around ₹1.43–₹1.44 lakh | Shows blackmail moved into real extortion |
| Daily targeting | Around 300 women contacted daily | Indicates organised pattern |
| Total suspected money | Around ₹40–50 lakh | Suggests many victims may be silent |
The numbers make this case much bigger than one woman’s complaint. Ahmedabad Police said the accused contacted around 300 women daily and had 60–65 clients per day for different rituals, charging ₹3,000 to ₹15,000. Police also said the gang may have earned ₹40 lakh to ₹50 lakh over two and a half years.
Why Did Victims Stay Silent?
Many victims of sextortion stay silent because the criminals weaponise shame. They threaten to send private content to family, friends, colleagues or social media contacts. That fear is exactly what makes the scam profitable. The victim is not only paying to stop a video; she is paying to protect reputation, marriage, family trust and social image.
India Today reported that police believe hundreds may have been duped, while many victims may not have come forward due to fear of reputational damage. This is the cruelest part of such scams: the victim feels trapped, while the criminal keeps increasing demands because silence becomes his strongest weapon.
Why Are Astrology Scams Dangerous?
Fake astrology scams are dangerous because they target people during emotionally weak moments. Someone dealing with love, marriage, divorce, family pressure or loneliness may not think like a normal alert internet user. Fraudsters understand this and use words like ritual, solution, cleansing, vashikaran and spiritual guidance to make the victim obey unusual requests.
This is why “do not trust strangers online” is too basic as advice. The better warning is this: any online healer, astrologer or guru who asks for private photos, video calls, secrecy or urgent payment is not helping you. They are testing how far they can control you.
How Can Users Stay Safe?
- Never share private photos: No real ritual needs your intimate images or video calls.
- Avoid secret video calls: Scammers use screen recording and threats later.
- Do not keep paying: Payment usually increases the demand, not the safety.
- Save evidence: Keep chats, numbers, UPI IDs, screenshots and profile links.
- Report quickly: Use the cybercrime portal or call 1930 for financial cyber fraud help.
India’s National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal lists 1930 as the cyber crime helpline, and the Ministry of Home Affairs says 1930 can be used for immediate reporting of financial frauds. Fast reporting matters because payments can sometimes be traced or frozen if action is taken quickly.
What Is The Final Conclusion?
The Instagram healer scam is frightening because it shows how easily social media, faith, emotional pain and blackmail can be mixed into one trap. The accused allegedly used fake spiritual identities, relationship promises and fear of public shame to extort money from victims. This is not harmless astrology content; this is organised cyber exploitation.
The blunt truth is simple: if an online “guru” asks for private photos, video calls or secret rituals, run. Do not negotiate, do not pay silently, and do not protect the criminal out of shame. The faster victims report, the weaker these gangs become. Silence is exactly what scammers are betting on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Instagram healer blackmail case?
A woman in Ahmedabad allegedly contacted a fake Instagram astrology profile for help with a relationship issue. Police said the accused posed as a spiritual healer, asked for photos, morphed them, pressured her into an explicit video call and later blackmailed her for money. She paid around ₹1.43 lakh before approaching cyber crime officials.
Who was arrested in the Ahmedabad astrology scam?
Ahmedabad Cyber Crime officials arrested Rajneesh or Rajnish Bhargava from Bikaner, Rajasthan. Two other accused, identified in reports as Vikas Bhargava and Ravi Bhargava, were absconding. Police said the accused used fake Instagram and Facebook profiles to pose as astrologers, relationship advisors and spiritual figures.
How many people were targeted by the fake healer racket?
Police said the accused contacted around 300 women daily and had 60–65 clients per day for different rituals. Preliminary findings suggested the group may have duped hundreds of people and earned around ₹40 lakh to ₹50 lakh over more than two years. Many victims may have stayed silent due to shame and fear.
What should someone do if blackmailed online?
Do not pay more money and do not delete evidence. Save screenshots, profile links, phone numbers, payment details and chat records, then report the case on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or call 1930 for cyber financial fraud help. Victims should also inform trusted family members or local police instead of handling the threat alone.
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