A 42-year-old woman from Bengaluru lost Rs 23.5 lakh after falling prey to an elaborate matrimony scam. The victim, identified as Roopa (name changed), a resident of Mathikere, registered on a matrimonial website where she was contacted by a profile under the name Dr Vihan Mishra, who claimed to be a surgeon working in Scotland.
How the Scam Unfolded
Over several weeks of conversation, the fraudster expressed interest in marriage and gathered details about her family, profession, and personal life. He informed her that he would travel to India on May 4, 2026, to meet her and take their relationship forward. Later, he claimed to have arrived in Delhi but was detained by airport officials due to his British citizenship.
The situation escalated when a woman identifying herself as Neha Rani, claiming to be an immigration officer, contacted Roopa. She stated that Mishra was carrying gold and a large sum of money that required clearance and conversion from British currency to Indian rupees.
Financial Loss
The fraudsters convinced Roopa to transfer money to multiple bank accounts for various purported charges, including registration, clearance, and processing fees. Believing she was helping her future husband resolve legal formalities, she transferred a total of Rs 23.5 lakh from her two bank accounts between May 4 and 6.
It was only later that she realized the purported groom had vanished, and the entire relationship was a carefully planned fraud. Police have registered a case and an investigation is underway.
