Bengaluru police have registered separate cybercrime cases after two men were allegedly cheated of large sums through online dating platforms, where women posing as romantic partners introduced them to investment and trading schemes before the victims lost nearly Rs 89 lakh and more than Rs 1.6 crore.
Emotional Trust Built Through Dating Apps
In one case, a 43-year-old software engineer from BTM Layout, identified in the complaint as Surya, came in contact with a woman calling herself Sakshi Shetty on Bumble on February 14. Her profile later disappeared from the platform, but the two had exchanged phone numbers and continued communicating through WhatsApp and email.
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According to the complaint, Surya remained in regular contact with the woman between February 15 and May 9 through chats, voice calls, video calls, audio recordings, photographs and videos. During this period, she allegedly gained his confidence by speaking about marriage, future plans and a life together, although the two never met in person.
Investment Pitch Led To Larger Transfers
The woman later introduced Surya to an online investment platform called “Pu Prime CS” and a Telegram channel named “BSYTNYDGS 2”, claiming that profits could be earned through forex, oil, cryptocurrency, metal and contract for difference trading. She allegedly told him the investments would help them build savings for their future life.
Initially, small returns were credited to his account. As part of these returns, the fraudsters allegedly transferred Rs 8,500 on March 10 from an account identified as Vishal R Merchant, followed by Rs 59,500 on March 21 from Hiral Pa Merchant. On March 31, another Rs 5.4 lakh was transferred from Navjeevan Traders.
Encouraged by the apparent profits, Surya continued investing larger amounts in phases. When he attempted to withdraw his money, the fraudsters allegedly demanded more payments, citing income tax, processing fees and other reasons. He eventually transferred Rs 88,76,975 before realising he had been cheated.
Another Victim Lost Over Rs 1.6 Crore
A second case involved a 32-year-old private firm employee staying in a paying guest accommodation in Electronics City. Identified as Gourav in the complaint, he said he came in contact with a woman calling herself Riya Agarwal on the dating app TanTan on February 15.
According to the complaint, she gained his trust within three days by frequently interacting with him through emails, social media and video calls, while promising to become his life partner. She later persuaded him to invest in an online trading platform called “Global Prime”, claiming it would generate huge profits through forex and digital trading.
Gourav was told to check websites named “globalprimeus.com” and “m.globalprimejp.cc” and was introduced to some “trading advisers”. He transferred more than Rs 1.6 crore in 27 transactions between February 20 and May 7 through RTGS, IMPS, NEFT and digital payment applications to several bank accounts linked to different firms and enterprises across the country.
When Gourav later attempted to withdraw the profits and invested amount, the fraudsters stopped responding on Telegram and WhatsApp. In Surya’s case, police registered a case under the Information Technology Act and BNS Sections 318 and 319 at the southeast cybercrime police station. An officer said efforts were on to freeze the bank accounts of the fraudsters, describing it as an organised fraud using dating platforms and fake emotional relationships to lure victims.
