Faith Betrayed: Delhi Man Cons ₹9 Crore from Devotees Using Godman’s Name
New Delhi, May 15, 2025 – What was meant to be a spiritual journey for dozens of followers turned into a financial nightmare, as a 44-year-old man named Wadhwa was arrested by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police for allegedly scamming ₹9 crore from at least 14 unsuspecting devotees. The accused, leveraging the influence of a well-known spiritual leader, hosted religious gatherings (satsangs) at his home to gain the trust of followers before luring them into fraudulent investment schemes.
This incident is not just about a financial scam—it’s a deep betrayal of faith, trust, and spiritual innocence.
A Mask of Spirituality Hides a Sinister Agenda
Satsangs Turned into Investment Pitches
According to the police investigation, Wadhwa and his associates organized multiple satsangs at his residence, attracting devotees of a revered godman. These gatherings, initially spiritual in nature, were cleverly transformed into platforms for financial manipulation.
Wadhwa promised high returns on investments, often invoking spiritual phrases like “divine blessing on wealth” and “guru kripa se laabh,” making it sound like the schemes were spiritually sanctioned.
“He spoke so gently, so convincingly, invoking our guru’s name. We believed he was helping us become prosperous under divine guidance,” said a victim, breaking into tears.
The Illusion of Trust and Devotion
What made Wadhwa’s scam especially effective was his exploitation of blind faith. Victims were middle-class families, retirees, and women who had placed their complete trust in their spiritual community.
Many of them liquidated their savings, took loans, or borrowed from relatives to invest in the schemes—believing they were sowing seeds of spiritual and financial prosperity.
“I had ₹8 lakhs saved for my daughter’s wedding. It’s all gone,” said another victim, devastated by the betrayal.
The Arrest and Investigation
The scam came to light when several victims filed complaints with the Delhi Police Economic Offences Wing. A probe was initiated, uncovering a web of deceit, with forged documents, fake investment receipts, and elaborate communication channels used to maintain the illusion of legitimacy.
Wadhwa was arrested on May 14 and is currently under police custody. Authorities are also probing the role of his associates, who allegedly helped in executing the fraud, managing accounts, and assuring devotees of the scheme’s authenticity.
“We have registered a case under multiple sections of the IPC, including cheating and criminal breach of trust. More victims may come forward,” said an EOW officer.
A Pattern of Exploiting Faith in India
Not the First Case of Its Kind
This case joins a long list of incidents in India where faith has been manipulated for fraud. From fake babas to spiritual gurus facing criminal charges, such scams are sadly becoming frequent.
The confluence of religion and money, especially in informal, trust-based settings, often creates the perfect storm for exploitation.
H3: The Emotional Aftermath
For the victims, the loss isn’t just financial. It’s emotional, spiritual, and psychological. Many have stopped attending satsangs, afraid of being manipulated again.
“Now I don’t know whom to trust. My faith is shattered,” said one woman who lost ₹12 lakhs.
A Wake-Up Call for Devotees and Authorities
This incident serves as a stark reminder to remain cautious—even in the most sacred of spaces. Spiritual leaders and gatherings must be protected from misuse by opportunistic individuals.
Authorities have urged devotees to:
Always verify the credentials of individuals promoting financial schemes.
Avoid investing based solely on faith-based influence.
Report suspicious behavior to law enforcement agencies immediately.
Conclusion: Rebuilding Trust After Betrayal
The Delhi spiritual investment scam is a tragic example of how greed can wear the cloak of devotion. It’s a reminder that faith must walk hand in hand with awareness, and that even the most trusted spaces can be infiltrated by fraud.
As the victims seek justice and healing, it is now up to society and the legal system to ensure that such betrayal does not go unpunished. Trust, once broken, is hard to rebuild—but with accountability and awareness, we can prevent others from falling into the same trap.
