Hyderabad Family Loses Rs 44.5 Lakh in Elaborate Matrimonial Website Fraud
A family from Hyderabad, seeking a suitable matrimonial alliance for their daughter through an online platform, has fallen victim to a sophisticated scam, losing approximately Rs 44.5 lakh to fraudsters impersonating a retired IRS officer and his doctor son. The incident highlights the growing risks associated with online matrimonial services and the need for heightened vigilance among users.
How the Scam Unfolded
According to a police complaint filed by a 59-year-old housewife from Bagh Amberpet in Hyderabad, the family was actively searching for a match for their daughter on a popular matrimonial website in December 2025. During this process, they received an expression of interest from a profile that appeared promising. The individual introduced himself as Vidya Sagar Rai, claiming to be a retired Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer from Lucknow. He expressed admiration for the prospective bride's profile and proposed an alliance with his son, Ronit, who was described as a practicing doctor.
Trusting the seemingly credible credentials displayed on the profile and reassured by subsequent phone conversations, the family agreed to proceed with fixing an engagement. The fraudsters, posing as the retired officer and his son, appeared genuine and convincing in their interactions, which led the family to lower their guard.
The Financial Deception
Shortly after the engagement was agreed upon, the alleged retired IRS officer began making financial demands. He requested money for various expenses related to the wedding, including venue booking, engagement ceremonies, and pooja arrangements. Believing these requests to be legitimate, the complainant, along with her husband and daughter, initiated a series of bank transfers.
On January 3 and January 8, the family transferred a total of about Rs 44.5 lakh through seven RTGS payments. These funds were sent to bank accounts held in the names of different companies located in Mumbai, Rajasthan, and other regions across India. The transactions were conducted under the assumption that they were contributing to the wedding preparations.
Escalation and Realization
The situation took a dramatic turn on January 9, when the fraudsters abruptly demanded an additional Rs 90 lakh, citing urgent business needs. When the family refused this exorbitant request, the accused immediately cancelled the alliance and promised to refund the earlier amount. However, no refund was ever processed, and the fraudsters ceased all communication.
In her complaint, the victim stated, "When the demand was refused, they cancelled the alliance and promised to refund the earlier amount. But they have not returned the amount." She further revealed that the profile of the accused on the matrimonial site vanished shortly after, and all phone calls went unanswered. The family eventually realized they had been ensnared in a well-planned trap using fake identities.
The complainant lamented, "Finally, we realized that it is a well-planned trap with a fake ID profile. By believing their fake IDs and conversations, we transferred the money to different bank accounts provided by Vidya Sagar Rai."
Police Investigation and Legal Action
Based on the detailed complaint, the Hyderabad cybercrime police have registered a formal case. The charges have been filed under Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act, which pertain to identity theft and cheating by personation using computer resources. Additionally, the case includes Sections 318(4) (cheating) and 319(2) (cheating by personation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
A cybercrime official involved in the investigation stated, "We are analyzing the bank transactions and details of the fraudsters will be sought from the matrimonial platform to identify the accused." The police are meticulously examining the financial trails and collaborating with the matrimonial website to gather crucial evidence that could lead to the identification and apprehension of the perpetrators.
Broader Implications and Cautionary Notes
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in online matrimonial services. While these platforms offer convenience and a wide pool of potential matches, they also attract malicious actors seeking to exploit the trust and emotional investment of families. Experts advise users to exercise extreme caution, verify credentials independently, and avoid transferring large sums of money without thorough verification and legal safeguards.
The Hyderabad cybercrime police have urged the public to report any suspicious activities on matrimonial websites and to refrain from sharing personal or financial information with unverified profiles. As investigations continue, this case underscores the importance of cybersecurity awareness and the need for robust mechanisms to prevent such frauds in the digital age.
