HYDERABAD: Matrimony scams rise as cyber fraudsters join old cons
HYDERABAD: Scams on online matrimonial platforms are rising sharply. Until recently, most cases in the Telugu states involved repeat offenders, but cybercriminals have now joined the racket.
Fake profiles lure educated professionals
Parents and individuals seeking matches are being targeted through fake profiles. Fraudsters pose as IT or medical professionals working abroad and promise to return to India soon for marriage. After exchanging photos and conversations, they gain trust by claiming shared professions and values.
They send gifts on birthdays and festive occasions, eventually asking for money citing emergencies. A woman doctor from Jubilee Hills recently lost ₹10 lakh in one such scam. Police arrested the accused, who had cheated 24 women across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. Two women from Secunderabad were also found to have duped more than 50 men using similar tactics.
Pakistani model photo used in another case
In another case, a man from Hyderabad’s Old City was duped of ₹25 lakh after being shown a photo of an attractive woman on a matrimony site. Claiming her mother was ill and needed treatment, the scammer repeatedly sought money. When the victim investigated, he found the photo belonged to a Pakistani model and that a woman, along with an accomplice, was behind the fraud.
Police list precautions for users
Police advised the public not to send money to anyone met on matrimony sites, regardless of the reason. They also warned against sharing personal photos or details.
Before proceeding with a proposal, families should verify the other party’s background in person, preferably along with relatives. If a prospective match claims to be abroad, their family in India should be contacted first. For additional safety, detective agencies may be approached to conduct background checks before engagement.
