A 33-year-old man has been arrested by Khadia police for allegedly running multiple fake Instagram accounts posing as a tantric and duping people by offering paid rituals to solve their personal problems.
The accused, Vinodbhai Chenaram Jat Joshi, a resident of Chandrabhaga Society in Bapunagar, Ahmedabad, reportedly managed several Instagram handles, including:
- @isanastrologer14
- @vinodjoshi_astrologer
- @joshivinod7
- @tamanna_astrologer
He promoted himself using names like Savariya Jyotish, Tamanna Jyotish, and Santoshi Kripa Jyotish, uploading reels on supposed tantric rituals such as Maha Mohini Vashikaran, resolving marriage issues, securing foreign visas, and offering spiritual healing.
According to police, Joshi used these videos to attract vulnerable individuals, gained their trust, and then demanded money for performing fake rituals. He is also accused of using “technical analysis” to give his fraudulent practices a sense of legitimacy.
Authorities have booked him under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the IT Act for impersonation and cheating through electronic means. Two mobile phones and two bank passbooks linked to online transactions were seized from him.
Stay Safe Online: Police Advisory
In light of the case, officials have urged the public to stay alert and follow these safety tips:
- Don’t fall for flashy ads on Instagram, Facebook, or Snapchat.
- Never download unknown files or click on financial links from unverified sources.
- Avoid video calls from strangers.
- Ignore threats of “digital arrest”—no such law exists.
- Always get customer care numbers from official websites only.
- Do not share personal documents, photos, or sensitive information on unknown platforms.
Police encourage citizens to report any suspicious online activity or scams to the nearest police station immediately.