A 52-year-old medical trader from Jamnagar, Gujarat, lost ₹56.73 lakh in an elaborate cyber fraud after he was lured through a matrimonial platform by a woman who claimed to be working for a pharmaceutical company in Canada.
Police said the fraudsters gradually gained the trader’s trust and convinced him to invest money in what appeared to be a legitimate pharmaceutical supply deal.
Contact through matrimonial platform
According to the complaint, the victim had created a profile on a matrimonial website while looking for a life partner after the death of his wife.
Soon after, he was contacted on WhatsApp by a woman identifying herself as “Lakshmi”, who claimed to work for a pharmaceutical firm in Montreal, Canada.
During their conversations, the woman allegedly proposed a business opportunity, telling the trader that her company urgently needed a raw material called “Tamole Ocimum (ZH2)”.
Fake business deal to gain trust
The woman asked the trader to procure the material from a Rajasthan-based supplier identified as Sharma Enterprises, and instructed him to coordinate with another person named Rutuja Sharma.
To make the deal appear genuine, the fraudsters reportedly arranged a trial transaction in Ahmedabad.
A man posing as a purchase officer from the pharmaceutical company met the trader and paid him $1,300 in cash for a sample consignment, which convinced the victim that the business was legitimate.
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Victim transfers ₹56.73 lakh
Encouraged by the successful trial transaction, the trader began purchasing larger quantities of the chemical and transferring money in multiple instalments.
Over several weeks, he transferred a total of ₹56.73 lakh to accounts provided by the fraudsters.
However, after receiving the money, the accused stopped responding to calls and messages, and all communication channels were abruptly cut off.
Complaint filed with cybercrime police
Initially, the victim hesitated to report the fraud due to fear of reputational damage.
Later, after being encouraged by his brother and a friend, he approached the cybercrime police and filed a complaint.
Authorities have launched an investigation and are examining bank transactions, phone numbers, and digital communication records to trace the individuals involved in the cyber fraud.
Police have warned that cybercriminals increasingly use matrimonial websites and social media platforms to build trust with victims before luring them into financial scams.
Growing risk of social-engineering cyber fraud
Investigators say such cases highlight the growing use of social-engineering tactics, where fraudsters exploit emotional vulnerability, loneliness, or trust to manipulate victims.
Cybercrime officials have advised citizens to verify identities before engaging in financial transactions and to remain cautious about business opportunities proposed by individuals met online.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
