A man searching for a life partner on a matrimonial website was duped of ₹13.17 lakh by cyber fraudsters who used a fake profile, a promise of marriage and a bogus investment scheme to gain his trust. A case has been registered at the cyber crime police station and an investigation is underway.
The victim, Amit Kumar, a resident of Malookpur and an employee of a finance company in Saharanpur, told police that he had created a profile on a matrimonial portal. On September 26, 2025, he received a request from a profile named “Anchal Sharma”. Their conversation soon shifted to WhatsApp, where the woman claimed to be a Mumbai-based entrepreneur running a textile business and a jewellery shop.
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After a few days, she introduced him to an “investment group”, promising high returns through stock market trading. Once he joined, he was contacted by a female administrator and four different phone numbers from the UK and India. Meanwhile, the woman continued to assure him of marriage, building emotional trust while persuading him to invest increasing amounts of money.
Police said that between October 13, 2025 and January 25, 2026, the victim transferred a total of ₹13.17 lakh in multiple instalments to different bank accounts. Initially, small notional profits were shown to gain his confidence, after which larger sums were solicited. When he attempted to withdraw his money, he was asked to invest more, raising suspicion.
Realising he had been defrauded, the victim filed a complaint on the cyber crime portal and later at the local cyber police station. Investigators are now examining the bank accounts, mobile numbers and digital transaction trails linked to the case. Officials said such frauds often involve layering of funds across multiple accounts, making early reporting crucial for possible recovery.
Police are also probing whether the accused are part of an international cyber fraud syndicate, as foreign phone numbers were used for communication. Letters have been sent to banks to freeze the accounts and provide transaction details.
Cyber experts have advised users of matrimonial and social media platforms to avoid financial dealings with unknown individuals and to be wary of investment offers tied to personal relationships. They said decisions taken in haste under the promise of marriage or high returns often lead to fraud.
Police have urged the public to immediately report suspicious investment schemes, fake profiles or online relationship proposals to the helpline 1930 or the cyber crime portal to improve the chances of fund recovery.
Further investigation is underway to determine whether other victims were targeted using a similar modus operandi.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
