A family residing in Hiranandani Estate, Thane, Maharashtra, reported a significant fraud involving ₹1.66 crore over two years, perpetrated by a man posing as a priest named Manjunath Shetty. The family, consisting of a father and son employed at leading corporate firms, first met Shetty at a community event in January 2024. After expressing their financial difficulties, Shetty claimed that their troubles were due to black magic cast by jealous relatives. He advised them to conduct multiple rituals and visit 12 sacred jyotirlingas, warning them of dire consequences if they failed to comply. Over the next two years, Shetty collected funds under various pretenses, including legal fees, but the family later discovered that no rituals had been performed. Following this revelation, they approached the police, leading to a case being registered against Shetty under the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act. The case has been transferred to the Thane crime branch for a deeper investigation, as authorities suspect a larger racket may be involved.