Indore: A social media friendship with a woman claiming to be a doctor from Syria allegedly cost a retired principal from Indore ₹6.11 lakh after fraudsters created a fake story involving war, international travel and a customs seizure. The woman allegedly told the victim that she was moving to India because of the war in Syria and later claimed that her medical equipment and other belongings had been detained by customs officials in Delhi. Fraudsters posing as Customs and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) officials then allegedly demanded payments to release the items.
The Azad Nagar police registered an FIR on Saturday on the complaint of Dr Ayaz Qureshi, a resident of Shahin Nagar. Police are examining the bank accounts and mobile numbers provided by the complainant to trace the flow of money and identify the people allegedly operating the fraud network.
Online Friendship Turns Into ₹6.11 Lakh Fraud
According to police, Qureshi became friends with a woman identifying herself as Ayesha Khan through Facebook on May 1, 2026. The two subsequently remained in contact through social media. The woman allegedly claimed that she was a doctor living in Syria.
After establishing communication, she allegedly told Qureshi that the ongoing war in Syria had forced her to consider shifting to India. Later, she claimed that she had reached Delhi but that her medical equipment and other belongings had been stopped by customs authorities.
The woman allegedly told the victim that payments were required to complete customs formalities and secure the release of the goods.
Fraudsters Allegedly Posed as Customs and RBI Officials
Around the same time, other persons allegedly contacted Qureshi while posing as customs and RBI officials. They reportedly reinforced the story of the detained goods and demanded money in the name of various charges and procedures.
The use of government and financial institution identities allegedly made the demands appear genuine. The victim was reportedly led to believe that he was dealing with officials handling an actual customs matter.
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Victim Transferred Money in Multiple Transactions
According to the complaint, Qureshi transferred money to different bank accounts after being told that the payments were necessary to resolve the alleged customs issue.
The reported transactions included:
- ₹25,000
- ₹49,000
- ₹47,000
- ₹4.90 lakh
The total amount allegedly transferred by the victim was ₹6.11 lakh.
Initially, Qureshi believed that he was making genuine payments as part of an official process. However, repeated demands for additional money eventually raised suspicion. He then realised that he had allegedly been defrauded and approached the cybercrime authorities.
The complaint was subsequently forwarded to the Azad Nagar police station, where the FIR was registered.
How Social Media Friendship Scams Work
Social media friendship and romance scams often begin with fraudsters establishing regular communication with a potential victim. After gaining trust, they may introduce an emergency, financial problem, travel issue or other situation requiring immediate payment.
In this case, police allege that the initial online friendship was followed by a story involving an overseas medical professional, relocation to India and a customs seizure. Other alleged members of the network then reinforced the story by impersonating officials.
Such a multi-stage approach can make a fraudulent demand appear more credible because the victim may believe that several apparently unrelated people are confirming the same situation.
Fake Customs and Government Payment Claims
Fraudsters may use claims involving customs clearance, international shipments, immigration or government procedures to pressure victims into making payments. The demands may be described as taxes, penalties, clearance charges, security deposits or other official fees.
People should independently verify such claims before transferring money, particularly when an online acquaintance asks for funds in connection with an overseas shipment or customs problem.
Police Trace Social Media and Bank Records
Investigators are now examining the accounts into which the money was transferred. Police are also looking into mobile numbers, social media profiles and digital conversations associated with the case.
The investigation is expected to focus on establishing the actual identity of the woman, identifying the persons allegedly posing as officials and tracing the ultimate beneficiaries of the transferred funds.
Police may also examine whether the same bank accounts, phone numbers or social media profiles have appeared in other complaints involving similar frauds.
Cybercrime Expert Warns Against Trust-Based Fraud
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said social media-based friendship scams often begin with the creation of emotional trust before fraudsters introduce an emergency and demand money.
Stories involving overseas contacts, international travel, customs problems or government procedures can be used to make financial demands appear legitimate. He advised people to independently verify such claims before transferring money in the name of customs charges, foreign shipments or government officials.
Fraud Network May Involve Multiple Roles
Such frauds can involve multiple people performing different roles. One person may establish contact and build an emotional connection with the victim, while others allegedly impersonate officials from customs, law enforcement or financial institutions.
The combination can make victims believe that they are dealing with a genuine government procedure rather than a coordinated cyber fraud operation.
Police Investigation Underway
The case highlights the risks associated with developing online friendships with unknown individuals and subsequently entering into financial transactions. Fraudsters may use stories involving medical emergencies, foreign travel, customs seizures or urgent government payments to create pressure and discourage victims from independently verifying the claims.
Police are continuing their investigation into the alleged fraud and the financial trail. Authorities have advised people to independently verify the identity and claims of online contacts before sending money, particularly when a new acquaintance suddenly asks for funds citing an emergency, customs issue, government fee or overseas shipment.
About the author — Ananya Aradhya writes on cybercrime, fraud, scams, cybersecurity, digital safety, and emerging threats. Her work also covers major criminal cases, financial frauds, consumer scams, and stories that highlight risks affecting people in the real and digital world.
