Hyderabad Woman Defrauded of Rs 3 Lakh in Elaborate Matrimonial Scam
In a distressing incident highlighting the perils of online matchmaking, a 31-year-old woman from Hyderabad has lost a staggering Rs 3 lakh to a sophisticated cyber fraudster impersonating a doctor on a popular matrimonial website. Following her formal complaint, the cybercrime police have swiftly registered a case and launched an investigation into this alarming scam.
How the Deception Unfolded
The victim was initially contacted by a man who falsely presented himself as a doctor based in Canada, using a matrimonial application to initiate contact. Over subsequent conversations, the fraudster built trust by sharing fabricated details about his life and professional ambitions.
The scammer claimed he was planning to establish a new hospital in India, weaving a convincing narrative to appear legitimate and financially stable. He informed the woman that he intended to travel to Hyderabad, with his arrival scheduled for February 16.
The Fraudulent Demand for Money
On the very day of his purported arrival, the victim received a shocking phone call from an individual pretending to be an official from Mumbai airport. This caller falsely stated that the man, identified as Rajesh, had been apprehended for illegally carrying foreign currency exceeding the permissible limit.
The imposter then issued threats of immediate arrest against Rajesh, demanding a substantial sum of money to resolve the alleged legal issue. Under pressure and fearing for Rajesh's safety, the victim felt compelled to comply.
Lacking sufficient personal funds, she was forced to secure loans from multiple sources, ultimately transferring nearly Rs 3 lakh to the fraudsters as demanded. It was only after completing these transactions that she realized the entire interaction was an elaborate cyber fraud scheme, prompting her to approach the Hyderabad police for assistance.
Another Similar Case Emerges
In a separate but related incident underscoring the prevalence of such scams, a software professional from Hyderabad also fell victim to matrimonial fraud, losing Rs 2.8 lakh. In this case, a man contacted her after viewing her profile on a matchmaking platform.
After engaging in casual chats for several days, the fraudster concocted a story about his bank accounts being blocked due to technical glitches. He urgently requested financial help to pay his sister's college fees in Australia, starting with an initial ask of Rs 25,000.
Over time, he continued to collect additional sums under various pretexts, until he eventually became unreachable. Realizing she had been deceived, the software professional also filed a police complaint, adding to the growing number of cyber fraud cases linked to online matrimonial services.
Police Response and Public Advisory
The Hyderabad cybercrime police have registered formal cases in both incidents and are actively pursuing leads to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. Authorities emphasize the need for heightened vigilance when interacting with strangers on digital platforms, especially those involving personal or financial matters.
Police officials advise users to verify the identities of individuals they meet online independently, avoid sharing sensitive personal or banking details, and report any suspicious behavior immediately. They also warn against transferring money to unknown parties, regardless of the urgency or emotional pressure applied.
These cases serve as a stark reminder of the sophisticated tactics employed by cybercriminals to exploit trust and vulnerability in the digital age, particularly through platforms designed for personal connections.
