Pune: Fake Woman Lawyer Caught Red-Handed While Extorting Money; Duped Elderly Man of ₹6 Lakh Using False Rape Allegation
Pune: A woman impersonating a lawyer was caught red-handed by Loni Kalbhor Police while accepting ₹15,000 in extortion money, after previously duping a 62-year-old farmer of ₹6 lakh. She falsely claimed that the farmer’s daughter-in-law had filed a rape and assault case against him and misled him with promises of helping his son get a divorce.
The accused has been identified as Snehal Harishchandra Kamble (32), a resident of Loni Kalbhor. The incident took place between April 24 and May 29, 2025, at her self-established office inside a Gram Panchayat-owned shop in Loni Kalbhor. Despite not being a licensed lawyer, Snehal Kamble posed as one and reportedly cheated several others in similar ways. Police are currently conducting a search of her office and residence.
According to a complaint filed by the victim a farmer from Dahigaon village, Shevgaon Taluka, now living in Ahilyanagar Snehal Kamble exploited his illiteracy. She assured him she would handle his son’s divorce case in court and took multiple payments both in cash and through bank transfers.
She later falsely informed the victim that his daughter-in-law had filed rape and assault charges, and had also approached the Women’s Commission. She claimed police and court staff would need to be bribed to avoid the arrest, thereby extorting ₹5.94 lakh under false pretenses.
When Kamble demanded more money, the victim grew suspicious and approached Deputy Commissioner of Police Dr. Rajkumar Shinde on May 27, who directed Loni Kalbhor Police to investigate. As per instructions, police set up a trap and caught Snehal Kamble red-handed while accepting ₹15,000.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of DCP Dr. Rajkumar Shinde and ACP Anuradha Udamale, with key involvement from Senior Police Inspector Rajendra Panhale, PSI Ratnadeep Birajdar, and Police Constable Pooja Mali, along with their team.
