A 37-year-old bank employee from Karnataka lost ₹7 lakh to a cyber fraud after receiving a romantic message on Facebook from someone he had never met. The message, which simply read “I love you,” came from an unknown woman’s profile. What began as a seemingly harmless conversation soon turned into a sophisticated scam involving fake identities, emotional manipulation, and digital deception.
This case has once again highlighted the growing danger of online romance scams, especially on social media platforms like Facebook, where scammers pose as admirers or lonely strangers to target unsuspecting individuals.
The Scam Unfolds: Romance and Deceit
The victim, who works at a national bank, received the message in early June. The Facebook profile belonged to a woman claiming to be from a foreign country. Over the next few days, the two exchanged messages, with the woman expressing affection and trust.
Once the emotional bond was established, the scammer claimed to be sending a gift package containing expensive items—such as gold jewelry and foreign currency. Soon after, the victim received a call from someone pretending to be a customs officer, saying the package was held at the airport and that he needed to pay taxes and clearance fees.
Believing the story, the man transferred ₹7 lakh across multiple transactions. Only later, when the calls stopped and the Facebook profile vanished, did he realize he had been tricked.
How These Scams Work
Cyber experts say this kind of scam is part of a growing pattern called “romance fraud.” In such scams, the criminal builds trust over days or weeks and then invents a crisis—such as customs trouble, medical emergencies, or gift-related fees—to request money.
“These scams are emotionally designed. Victims aren’t just losing money—they’re manipulated into believing they’re helping someone they care about,” said a senior police officer handling the case.
The scammer typically uses fake photos, often stolen from real people, and pretends to be from another country to add urgency and credibility.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
The man reported the fraud to the cybercrime police in Bangalore. Officers have registered a case under sections related to cheating and identity fraud. Authorities are working with digital crime experts to trace the IP address and money trail, though recovery in such cases is often difficult.
“We’re seeing a rise in such emotional scams, especially among educated professionals who trust easily online,” said the investigating officer. “People must understand: if it feels too good to be true, it probably is.”
The cybercrime division has advised the public to report similar scams immediately via the national cybercrime portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or the helpline number 1930.
A Cautionary Tale for the Digital Age
This case is not an isolated incident. Across India, cases of digital fraud involving romance, gifts, and fake customs officials have surged. Just last month, a woman in Thane lost ₹12 lakh in a similar “gift parcel” scam.
Experts warn that anyone can fall victim, regardless of education or profession. Scammers are now using AI-generated voices, deepfake images, and even cloned WhatsApp numbers to make their schemes more convincing.
Cybersecurity analyst Meera Sinha said, “The key is to slow down, ask questions, and never transfer money to strangers—no matter how convincing or emotional the story may seem.”
For the Karnataka bank employee, the experience has been both financially and emotionally painful. “I thought I was helping someone who cared about me,” he told police. “I never imagined it was all a lie.”