A 37-year-old IT professional from Gurugram was duped of ₹73.42 lakh after falling prey to an elaborate dating app scam that promised emotional connection and financial gains. The fraudsters, posing as a potential romantic partner, used emotional manipulation and false investment opportunities to siphon off his life savings.
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From Romance to Ruin
According to the Gurugram Cyber Crime Police, the victim met the accused on a popular dating app. After days of regular chatting, the woman persuaded him to invest in an “exclusive online trading platform” that she claimed delivered high profits on short-term investments. Initially, the victim earned small returns, creating a sense of trust. But soon, as he invested larger amounts over several transactions, the money disappeared.
The fraudsters later blocked all contact, and the so-called trading portal became inaccessible. The victim realized the deception only after failing to withdraw his funds and reported the matter to the police.
A Rising Trend in Digital Romance Scams
Investigators revealed that the scam was part of a wider network operating across multiple Indian cities, including Gurugram, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Fraudsters are increasingly using dating platforms and WhatsApp to identify financially stable individuals and lure them with fake promises of affection and financial gain.
“Fraudsters build emotional dependency before introducing investment platforms. Once trust is established, victims willingly transfer large sums,” said a senior cyber officer from Gurugram Police. “These networks are sophisticated, often linked to offshore call centers operating under fake identities.”
Police have traced several transactions to crypto wallets and shell accounts in Southeast Asia, making recovery extremely difficult.
Emotional Manipulation: The New Face of Cybercrime
Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Professor Triveni Singh explained that such scams thrive on human psychology rather than technology.
“This is not just a financial crime—it’s emotional exploitation. Fraudsters study their targets, mirror their emotions, and then convert trust into transactions. Victims don’t realize it’s a trap until they’re emotionally and financially drained,” he said.
Experts warn that with the blending of social media and financial scams, dating app frauds have become one of the fastest-growing cybercrime categories in India.
Protect Yourself
- Avoid sharing personal or financial details with people met online.
- Verify all investment links and trading platforms on SEBI’s official website.
- Be cautious of strangers offering “quick profit” schemes.
- Report suspicious activity to cybercrime.gov.in or dial 1930.
As digital intimacy becomes the new normal, experts stress that online vigilance is not paranoia—it’s protection. The Gurugram incident is a stark reminder that in today’s cyber world, even love can come with a price tag.
