Fake Gurus Exploit Dozens in Uttar Pradesh Under Tantric Ritual Scam

In Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, a gang of fraudsters posed as spiritual gurus and ran a scam that spanned multiple Indian states for over eight years. Exploiting people’s belief in supernatural rituals and greed for sudden wealth, the gang manipulated families into handing over their children for so-called "tantric" rituals, which led to serious cases of sexual abuse.

Fraud Method: Personal Information Collected Through Forms

Victims were asked to fill out forms that included disturbing questions about their personal and physical details:

Name, address, and age

Height and weight

Marital status

Menstrual history (for girls)

Sexual history and birth details

Presence of tattoos or moles

This data was used to select victims who met certain conditions required for the "rituals."

Sexual Exploitation in the Name of Tantra

Members of the gang, known as the Dhanvarsha group, convinced victims that specific tantric rituals involving rare animals and young participants would result in a "money rain." Victims were sexually exploited during these fake rituals, often inside a specially built “ashram” in Agra.

Key Breakthrough: Victim Escapes, Alerts Authorities

A man named Rajpal from the Dhanari area reported that he was misled into visiting Agra, locked in a room, and nearly subjected to one such ritual. His cries for help alerted neighbors, prompting a police investigation.

Gang Structure and Tactics

Three key figures acted as “gurus,” while others, referred to as “media,” were tasked with finding and delivering victims. They staged elaborate setups including rooms pretending to be full of money, and rituals involving turtles, owls, and snakes, to build credibility.

14 Arrested; Investigation Expands

Police arrested 14 individuals involved in the gang. Authorities recovered several objectionable audio and video recordings that could aid further investigation. The scam targeted people in Delhi, Agra, Etah, and Rajasthan.

Victims Pressured into Silence

Due to fear, guilt, or blind belief, victims and their families rarely came forward. Many even voluntarily sent their daughters to the so-called gurus, making law enforcement’s job more difficult. Police suspect there may be many more victims yet to come forward.

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