A relationship that began through a matrimonial website allegedly turned into a cyber fraud trap for a young woman in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The accused allegedly posed as a Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel posted in Delhi, promised to marry her and persuaded her to open three bank accounts in her name. The accounts were later allegedly used for suspicious financial transactions. The woman became aware of the alleged misuse after receiving bank alerts stating that funds in her accounts had been placed on hold following cybercrime complaints. Police have registered a case against Suraj alias Ranveer Singh, Manish and other unidentified persons and started an investigation.
According to the complaint filed by Chandni Chauhan, a resident of Lavkushpuram in Kalyanpur, she created a profile on an online matrimonial platform in January 2026 while looking for a marriage partner. Suraj alias Ranveer Singh contacted her after some time. The two reportedly met for the first time at Z Square in Kanpur on April 15. The accused allegedly claimed that he was posted with the RAF in Delhi and showed an identity card to establish credibility.
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Marriage promise allegedly used to obtain documents
According to the woman, she agreed to marry him after being influenced by his claimed government employment and assurances. The accused allegedly obtained photographs of her Aadhaar card, PAN card, marksheets and other documents.
He allegedly told her that, apart from his government job, he worked with friends on computer and mobile-based advertising projects for companies. He reportedly claimed that because of his employment, he could not receive advertising payments in his own account. He allegedly suggested opening three or four accounts in her name so that payments from the advertising work could be received there, adding that the money would later be used for their wedding.
Three bank accounts opened
Acting on the alleged assurances, the woman opened accounts in her name at Kotak Mahindra Bank, Bank of Maharashtra and Punjab National Bank branches in Kalyanpur. According to the complaint, the accused later obtained her passbooks, ATM cards and PIN through one of his associates.
The woman subsequently began receiving bank alerts about suspicious transactions. When she informed Suraj, he allegedly reassured her and advised her to disable bank notifications on her mobile phone. She followed the advice, according to the complaint.
QR code allegedly used to collect cash
The complaint further alleges that Suraj later claimed that one of his associates needed cash and asked her to provide details of an acquaintance’s bank account so that online money could be transferred there in exchange for cash.
The woman allegedly shared the bank account and QR code details of her acquaintance Shivam Nishad’s shop. According to the complaint, after online funds were credited, Manish and others allegedly collected the corresponding cash. Police are now investigating the amount transferred through this arrangement and the number of accounts and individuals involved.
Engagement assurances allegedly continued
The woman has alleged that Suraj continued to maintain the impression that they would marry. On May 21, he reportedly called her near Gurudev Palace Metro station and repeated his marriage assurances. He allegedly told her that substantial money was being received in the accounts from advertising work and that they would use it to organise their wedding.
During another meeting in Rawatpur in July, he allegedly discussed getting an engagement ring made and even took the measurement of her finger. The complaint further alleges that he took her mobile phone during the meeting and deleted photographs of the two together.
Bank alerts expose alleged mule-account operation
On August 7, three bank messages reportedly left the woman alarmed. The messages stated that ₹15,000, ₹12,034 and ₹16,750 in her accounts had been placed on hold following cybercrime complaints.
When she tried contacting Suraj for an explanation, he allegedly stopped answering her calls. She subsequently obtained bank statements and discovered transactions involving lakhs of rupees. She has claimed that she personally used the accounts only two or three times for online purchases and neither received money from unknown persons nor transferred or withdrew funds from the accounts.
Police investigating the alleged network
The woman initially approached Kalyanpur police, but alleged that her complaint was not acted upon immediately. She subsequently approached the Police Commissioner on August 12, following which a case was registered against Suraj alias Ranveer Singh, Manish and other unidentified persons.
Renowned cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said that persuading people through social or emotional trust to provide bank accounts is a serious tactic used in mule-account operations. He said investigators need to examine every transaction, device, mobile number and digital contact associated with such accounts because the person whose name appears on an account may not be the person actually controlling it.
Police are now examining the three bank accounts, ATM and PIN-related activity, mobile phones, chats, call records, QR-based transactions and subsequent fund transfers. The investigation will focus on determining who controlled the accounts, where the suspected fraud proceeds originated and which accounts or individuals ultimately received the money.
