A 48-year-old manager employed at a sandal manufacturing unit in Beniapukur, Kolkata, along with his employer, has allegedly been defrauded of Rs 31.2 lakh by a woman he met on a popular matrimonial portal. The Kolkata Police have registered a case at the Beniapukur Police Station following a formal complaint from the victim, a resident of Jannagar Road. The victim stated that he was lured into a sophisticated digital investment trap that began in December 2025.
How the Scam Unfolded
According to investigators, the victim encountered a woman identifying herself as Shahnaz Khan on the ‘Nikha Forever' matrimonial site. Khan allegedly claimed to be an employee of Century Market, a trading firm based in Hyderabad. She gradually induced the victim to start small-scale trading on a digital platform. Initially, the fraudsters allowed the victim to withdraw profits, building his trust.
Encouraged by the apparent success, the victim persuaded his employer to join the venture. The accused then advised the victim that a total investment of Rs 30 lakh would qualify him as a “premium client”. Subsequently, the victim was encouraged to apply for a “loan” of US $25,000. Once the loan was “approved” and credited to his virtual account, the platform abruptly froze all withdrawal requests. The victim was notified that he must first repay the loan amount in full to access any of his original funds.
Police Investigation Underway
The Kolkata Police are investigating the case, which highlights the growing menace of cyber frauds targeting individuals through matrimonial sites. Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution while interacting with unknown individuals online, especially when financial transactions are involved. The victim and his employer have suffered a significant financial loss, and the police are working to trace the perpetrators behind the scam.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the sophisticated tactics employed by fraudsters, who exploit emotional connections to lure victims into fake investment schemes. The police have advised anyone approached with similar offers to verify the legitimacy of the platform and report suspicious activities immediately.
