Cyber fraudsters allegedly cheated a young woman in Gorakhpur of nearly ₹15 lakh after contacting her through an Instagram matrimonial advertisement, promising marriage and later threatening her with a fake “digital arrest” in the name of CBI and Income Tax action.
A case has been registered at Pipraich Police Station on the complaint of the victim’s brother, Pankaj Kashyap. Police have started an investigation and are tracing the bank accounts, UPI IDs and QR codes used to receive the money.
Fraud Began With Matrimonial Advertisement
According to police, the woman came across a matrimonial bureau advertisement while browsing Instagram. After clicking on it, she began communicating on WhatsApp with a man who identified himself as Rahul Singhania.
The accused claimed to be a businessman based in the United Kingdom and said he wanted to marry according to Indian traditions. To gain the woman’s trust, he allegedly sent photographs and videos of expensive suits, gowns, diamond rings and other jewellery.
He later collected the woman’s identity documents and claimed that he had sent a parcel containing costly gifts. Soon afterwards, another person posing as a parcel agent contacted her and said the package contained US$10,000 along with valuable items.
Fake Officials Threatened Arrest
The victim was first asked to deposit ₹45,000 to release the parcel. She was then repeatedly asked to send more money in the name of immigration charges, customs duty, taxes and other processing fees.
When she questioned the demands, the fraudsters allegedly impersonated officials of the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Income Tax Department. They falsely claimed that the parcel contained gold and diamonds worth crores of rupees.
The accused allegedly threatened her with arrest and prosecution for money laundering unless she made immediate payments. Police said the victim remained under fear and psychological pressure for nearly a week.
Cyber Cell Traces Payment Trail
During this period, the woman transferred nearly ₹15 lakh to bank accounts, UPI IDs and QR codes provided by the accused. The money was reportedly saved by the family for her sister’s marriage and house construction.
After the fraud came to light, her brother approached Pipraich Police Station, where a case was registered under relevant cybercrime provisions. Police said the Cyber Cell is assisting in identifying the accused and tracing the digital payment channels used in the fraud.
Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said fraudsters are increasingly using fake marriage proposals, overseas gift scams and “digital arrest” threats to manipulate victims. He said no government agency conducts a digital arrest over a phone or video call or asks people to transfer money during an investigation.
