AHMEDABAD: A cyberfraud scheme targeting young singles is spreading, where fraudsters posing as organizers of curated date experiences are allegedly using WhatsApp and Telegram groups to collect payments and then disappear. The offers range from movie outings to luxury getaway trips, leaving victims not only out of pocket but also reluctant to come forward.
Packages promoted as movie date experiences are said to cost about Rs 2,000 and typically promise a multiplex ticket, snacks and the company of a mystery partner. Victims are told they will be added to a private group shortly before the show to coordinate the meeting. Instead, some say no such group is ever created and the organizer becomes unreachable once payment is made.
Movie Date Offers Draw Victims In
One 24 year old man from Gandhinagar said he waited outside a multiplex for more than an hour after paying Rs 2,000. He said he had been assured he would receive the details before the show, but no group was formed and his calls went unanswered.
The fraud also appears in a more elaborate form. In these cases, scammers offer outdoor date experiences to destinations such as Mount Abu or Udaipur, with packages priced between Rs 8,000 and Rs 10,000. These plans are presented as including hotel bookings, drinks and curated social activities, but victims later discover that no reservations were made and the contact numbers have been switched off.
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A 27 year old woman from Ahmedabad said she lost Rs 9,500 for a Mount Abu trip. She said there was no hotel booking and described the experience as humiliating to explain to friends.
Messaging Apps and Social Pressure Fuel the Scam
Cybercrime experts say the fraud exploits the growing culture of app based dating as well as the hesitation many victims feel about reporting such incidents because of social stigma. Officials acknowledge that the lack of formal complaints has made it difficult to determine the full scale of the fraud, though informal accounts suggest dozens may have been duped in recent weeks.
The people behind the scheme are said to operate through WhatsApp and Telegram groups, presenting themselves as event organizers offering exclusive dating experiences. They reportedly use casual language and emojis to attract young users and create an impression of authenticity.
Victims are promised access to a private group where they can connect with their assigned partner before the event. Payments are then collected through QR codes or digital transfers, often under pressure to secure a slot quickly.
How the Fraud Operates
To build trust, the fraudsters are said to sometimes make brief voice calls or engage in casual conversations before seeking payment. Once the money is transferred, all communication stops.
The offers include movie dates with strangers and premium trips with mystery partners, designed to appear informal and attractive while masking the absence of any genuine arrangement. The scheme appears to thrive on victims’ reluctance to file complaints, allowing those behind it to continue operating across multiple groups and target new individuals.
