Kochi | The Kochi Cyber Crime Police have busted a sophisticated online fraud racket after arresting three men for allegedly cheating a young doctor of ₹37 lakh through a fake NRI matrimonial profile and a bogus trading application, officials said on Monday.
Police said the accused created a fabricated profile on a matrimonial website, posing as an NRI woman, and gradually built a relationship with the victim. After gaining his trust, the gang convinced the doctor to invest money in what they claimed was a high-return trading platform.
The fraud came to light when the promised profits failed to materialise, prompting the doctor to approach the cyber crime unit.
The arrested accused have been identified as Sooraj Krishnan (22) of Aroor in Alappuzha district, who allegedly impersonated the woman and communicated with the victim from Cambodia, and Adil K P (22) and Mohammed Faisal (25), both natives of Valanchery in Malappuram district, who allegedly facilitated the withdrawal of funds through multiple bank accounts.
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Police said the arrests were made on Sunday, following which the trio were produced before a local court and remanded to judicial custody.
According to investigators, the doctor transferred the money in several instalments after being assured of quick and substantial returns. Officials said the scammers used screenshots of fabricated profits and manipulated dashboards on the trading app to make the investment appear legitimate.
“The accused followed a classic social engineering pattern — emotional engagement through matrimonial platforms, followed by financial grooming using fake trading interfaces,” a senior cyber crime official said.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that the three accused were linked to a Cambodia-based cybercrime syndicate, adding an international dimension to the case.
Police said Cambodia has increasingly emerged as a hub for organised online fraud operations, including trading scams and loan app rackets, allegedly run by groups under the control of Chinese nationals, with Indians — including several from Kerala — being recruited as operators and money handlers.
Digital devices seized from the accused are currently being analysed, and investigators are tracing transaction trails to identify additional beneficiaries and upstream controllers of the racket.
“Call records, chat logs and banking data suggest a structured network with clearly divided roles — from profile creation and victim engagement to fund routing,” officials said, adding that efforts are underway to map the wider ecosystem behind the fraud.
Cyber crime officials said the case highlights a growing trend of criminals exploiting matrimonial platforms to target professionals, combining emotional manipulation with financial deception.
They also warned that trading-app scams have become increasingly sophisticated, often using cloned interfaces, fake customer support and fabricated profit dashboards to lure victims into repeated investments.
Police urged citizens to exercise caution while interacting with unknown profiles online, particularly on matrimonial and dating platforms, and advised against making financial commitments based on virtual relationships or unsolicited investment advice.
Authorities further advised the public to verify trading platforms through official regulators, avoid sharing personal or banking details, and immediately report suspicious activity to cyber crime helplines.
The Kochi case adds to a rising number of cyber fraud incidents reported across Kerala, with law enforcement agencies intensifying surveillance of international money trails and recruitment pipelines feeding overseas scam centres.
Officials said further arrests cannot be ruled out as the investigation progresses and coordination with central agencies and international counterparts is expected to expand in the coming days.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
