Key Points
- Pune police arrest 29-year-old Prasad alias Dada Bhimrao Tamdar for posing as a ‘miracle baba’ and exploiting devotees in Bavdhan.
- Accused used hidden mobile apps to gain remote access to devotees’ cameras, microphones, and locations, violating their privacy.
- Manipulated devotees through fear tactics, including fake death predictions and bizarre “remedies” involving intimate acts.
- Recorded private moments and used footage for blackmail, threatening victims with exposure.
- Case registered under IT Act and Maharashtra Superstition Eradication Act; digital forensic probe underway.
- Police urge more victims to come forward, promising confidentiality and strict action against religious fraudsters.
Pune : In a chilling case that highlights the dangers of blind faith and technological exploitation, Pimpri-Chinchwad police have arrested a self-styled ‘miracle baba’ who used sophisticated spyware to intrude into the most private moments of his trusting devotees. The accused, identified as Prasad alias Dada Bhimrao Tamdar (29), was operating in the Bavdhan area, luring people with claims of divine powers and supernatural foresight.
How the Fake Baba Operated
Tamdar, presenting himself as a spiritual guru, would draw in devotees by promising miraculous solutions and claiming he could foresee their future. He preyed on their vulnerabilities by making terrifying predictions often telling them they had only months to live. This psychological manipulation made devotees desperate for his “remedies.”
High-Tech Spying: Hidden Apps and Total Surveillance
Tamdar’s most dangerous tactic was technological. Under the pretext of performing rituals or chanting mantras, he would ask for the devotees’ mobile phones and passwords. He then secretly installed a hidden spyware app, granting him full access to the phone’s camera, microphone, and location data.
- Constant Surveillance: The app allowed him to monitor victims’ daily lives in real time.
- Illusion of Divine Powers: Tamdar would call devotees and ask about their clothing or whereabouts, convincing them he had mystical knowledge.
Exploitation and Blackmail
The situation turned even more sinister when Tamdar instructed some young devotees under the guise of “saving them from death” to engage in intimate acts with partners or sex workers, and to position their phones to record these moments. The footage was then used to threaten, manipulate, or blackmail the victims.
How the Scam Was Exposed
The fraud came to light when a devotee noticed his phone overheating and sought help from an IT-savvy friend, who discovered the hidden app. Realizing the common link to Tamdar, several victims confronted the police. A swift investigation by Bavdhan police, supported by cyber experts, confirmed the allegations.
Police Action and Ongoing Investigation
- Immediate Arrest: Tamdar was detained and his devices seized for forensic analysis.
- Legal Action: He faces charges under the Information Technology Act and the Maharashtra Superstition Eradication Act.
- Digital Forensics: Police are tracing where the sensitive videos and photos may have been stored or distributed.
Police Warning and Appeal
Senior Police Inspector Anil Vibhute cautioned citizens against falling prey to superstition or sharing personal information with so-called godmen. The police have appealed for other victims to come forward, assuring confidentiality and protection.
“Such quack babas exploit people’s weaknesses under the guise of religion. Don’t hesitate to report any suspicious activity. We will not tolerate exploitation in the name of faith,”
— Inspector Anil Vibhute
A Wake-Up Call for Society
This Pune incident serves as a stark reminder of how technology can be weaponized by fraudsters, especially when combined with blind faith. The swift police response has been widely praised, and authorities hope this case will encourage greater vigilance and skepticism towards self-proclaimed spiritual leaders.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of such exploitation, contact your local police immediately. Your identity will be protected.
