Post by : Rameen Ariff

Bengaluru — A 63-year-old resident of Horamavu reported to the East CEN Crime Police after being tricked into transferring ₹3.2 million in an elaborate online dating fraud that posed as an exclusive matchmaking service.

The scheme started with a WhatsApp contact from a person who said they worked for a “high-society dating agency.” The caller asked for a registration payment of ₹1,950 to access profiles. After paying, the victim was shown images of three women and chose one who identified herself as ‘Ritika,’ leading to weeks of chats and video calls.

Shortly after, someone using the name ‘Priti’ claimed to handle travel and coordination. The man was repeatedly asked for additional sums described as verification, coordination and travel costs. Over several weeks he sent money to a number of different bank accounts, ultimately remitting ₹3.2 million. When he declined further demands, the suspects reportedly threatened him and he lodged a complaint with police.

Investigators have filed a case under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, citing cheating, impersonation and fraud. Bank accounts linked to the transfers are being examined and authorities are tracing the flow of funds across multiple states.

Law enforcement and analysts say this incident fits a broader pattern of romance-related frauds that exploit messaging platforms, manipulated audio and video, and cloned identities to gain victims’ trust. Comparable schemes using dating apps and fabricated personas have been flagged in other metropolitan areas including Delhi.

Cybersecurity specialists caution that perpetrators increasingly employ AI tools to create convincing profiles, present fake agency credentials and use emotional pressure to extract money. Victims are often persuaded to make payments under false pretenses.

Bengaluru Police have issued guidance urging people not to transfer funds to individuals or organisations that offer matchmaking services through WhatsApp or similar apps. They advise verifying any service via official websites or government-registered channels before making payments.

#Global News