A 34-year-old woman from Lake Town in Kolkata fell victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud scheme after meeting a man on a dating application. What started as a promising online romance quickly turned into a financial nightmare, costing her Rs 68,500.
Elaborate Deception Unfolds
The woman told Bidhannagar cyber crime police that she connected with a man who introduced himself as Michael Fernandez. He claimed to work as a marine engineer based in London. Over several weeks, they engaged in regular chats and lengthy phone conversations.
Fernandez successfully built trust with the woman and even convinced her parents of his genuine intentions. He shared multiple photographs showing himself in marine uniform, participating in helicopter sorties, and what appeared to be his journey to India.
The Airport Crisis Story
According to the formal complaint, Fernandez informed the woman on December 27 that he was flying to Kolkata via Delhi to meet her in person. That same morning, she received a call from an unknown number.
The caller identified himself as a Delhi Customs official. He alleged that Fernandez's luggage had been held up because it contained expensive gift items. The official demanded immediate payment for the release of the confiscated baggage.
Financial Transactions Under Pressure
Fernandez then contacted the woman directly, pleading for urgent assistance. He claimed he knew no one else in India and lacked sufficient Indian currency. "He promised to return the money after reaching Kolkata," the woman stated in her complaint.
Trusting his story, she transferred Rs 28,500 from her personal bank account. Later that evening, she borrowed an additional Rs 40,000 from her mother and completed the second transfer. Immediately after these transactions, Fernandez became completely unreachable.
Suspicions Arise
The next morning, Fernandez contacted the woman again with another demand. He claimed Customs officials now required Rs 35,000 more to resolve the situation. This raised her suspicions about the entire scenario.
The woman asked for receipts documenting the earlier payments. When Fernandez failed to produce any documentation, she stopped responding to his calls. It took her several more days to fully realize she had been conned in an elaborate scam.
Police Complaint and Investigation
After searching social media platforms and reviewing online fraud alerts, the woman approached the Bidhannagar cyber crime police station on Thursday. She lodged a formal complaint detailing the entire incident.
The complainant submitted:
- Multiple phone numbers allegedly used by the fraudsters
- Bank account details involved in the transactions
- Identity documents shared with her during their communication
Police confirmed these details are currently undergoing verification as part of their investigation.
Rising Trend of Similar Scams
Officers at Bidhannagar police station noted that such 'Customs seizure' and 'international traveller' scams are increasing across the region. Fraudsters specifically exploit fear, urgency, and emotional trust built through online relationships.
"Customs authorities do not demand payments over phone calls or through UPI transfers," emphasized a police officer. "Any such call should be treated as a red flag immediately."
The police warned citizens to remain vigilant when engaging with strangers online, particularly when financial requests emerge from newly formed relationships. They advised verifying all emergency claims through official channels before transferring any funds.
