BENGALURU — A 42-year-old woman from Bengaluru has allegedly been cheated out of ₹23.5 lakh in a sophisticated online matrimonial scam after a fraudster posing as a doctor working in the United Kingdom gained her trust through a marriage proposal and later fabricated an airport detention story to extract money.

Police have launched an investigation into the case and are attempting to trace the individuals behind the fraud as cyber-enabled relationship scams continue to rise across India.

Marriage Proposal Used to Gain Victim’s Trust

According to the complaint filed with police, the victim had created a profile on a matrimonial platform in search of a life partner. Soon afterward, she was contacted by a man who introduced himself as “Dr. Vihan Mishra,” claiming to be a surgeon employed in Scotland.

Over several weeks, the suspect allegedly maintained regular communication with the woman, expressing serious intentions of marriage and gradually building a personal relationship. During this period, he reportedly gathered information about her family, profession, and personal circumstances, helping establish credibility and trust.

The accused later informed the woman that he planned to visit India so they could meet and discuss their future together.

Fake Airport Crisis Leads to Financial Loss

Shortly after claiming to have arrived in Delhi, the suspect allegedly contacted the woman and stated that he had encountered difficulties with authorities at the airport.

According to investigators, the fraudster claimed he had been detained due to documentation and procedural issues. The situation escalated when the woman received a call from another individual who identified herself as an immigration official.

The caller allegedly informed the victim that the supposed doctor was carrying gold and a large quantity of foreign currency that required official clearance before his release.

The woman was then instructed to pay various charges, including registration fees, customs clearances, documentation expenses, and currency conversion costs.

Believing she was helping her prospective spouse resolve legal formalities, the victim reportedly transferred money on multiple occasions.

₹23.5 Lakh Transferred Within Days

Police said the woman transferred a total of ₹23.5 lakh from two separate bank accounts between May 4 and May 6.

Authorities believe the payments were made in several installments after the fraudsters repeatedly created new reasons requiring urgent financial assistance.

The victim reportedly realized she had been deceived only after communication with both individuals abruptly stopped. Attempts to contact them thereafter were unsuccessful.

Investigation Underway

Following the discovery of the fraud, the woman approached law enforcement authorities and filed a formal complaint.

Investigators are currently examining bank account details, transaction records, digital communications, and other evidence to identify the suspects and trace the flow of funds.

Police suspect the fraud may be linked to organized cybercriminal networks that specifically target individuals through matrimonial and dating platforms.

Rising Threat of Matrimonial Fraud

Cybercrime experts have warned that matrimonial scams have become increasingly common, with fraudsters creating fake professional identities to gain the trust of victims before fabricating emergencies requiring financial assistance.

Common tactics include impersonating doctors, military officers, engineers, or foreign-based professionals and then inventing situations involving customs authorities, airport detentions, medical emergencies, or legal complications.

Authorities advise users of matrimonial websites to independently verify identities, avoid sending money to online contacts, and report suspicious requests immediately.

The case serves as another reminder of the growing sophistication of online relationship scams and the financial risks posed by fraudsters who exploit trust for personal gain.

A series of cyber fraud cases in Faridabad has exposed a growing network of online investment scams that are exploiting social media platforms and messaging apps to target unsuspecting victims. Fraudsters are reportedly using fake stock trading schemes, IPO promises, and impersonated brokerage firms to siphon off large sums of money from individuals.

Retired BSNL Officer Loses Over ₹52 Lakh in Fake Trading Scheme

In one of the most significant cases, a 69-year-old retired BSNL official, Ashok Kumar Verma, was allegedly defrauded of ₹52.3 lakh through a fraudulent investment scheme promoted via a Facebook advertisement.

The ad, which claimed to represent a trading platform named “Quanta Pulse Trading Company,” promised high returns from stock market investments. After responding to the advertisement, the victim was gradually convinced through fake documents, investment dashboards, and email confirmations that appeared legitimate.

Between April 2025 and February 2026, the victim reportedly made 40 separate transfers to multiple bank accounts controlled by the scammers. The fraud came to light when he attempted to withdraw his funds and was instead asked to pay additional charges. Once he refused, communication was abruptly cut off.

The victim later reported the matter through India’s cybercrime helpline (1930) and filed a formal complaint with authorities.

WhatsApp IPO Scam Targets Investor With Fake Brokerage Claims

In another case, a resident of Sector-15A, Karun Talwar, was targeted via WhatsApp by scammers posing as representatives of a registered brokerage firm. The fraudsters promised high profits through IPO and stock market investments without requiring a Demat account.

Believing the offer to be genuine, the victim transferred approximately ₹17.5 lakh in multiple installments after borrowing money and liquidating savings. He later realized the scheme was fraudulent when further payments were demanded.

Multiple Bank Account Frauds Reported in Separate Incidents

Two additional cases highlight the expanding scope of digital banking fraud in the region:

• A resident of NIT, Dheeraj Dhingra, reported unauthorized deductions totaling ₹93,000 from his bank account while attempting a routine transfer. He suspects his mobile device may have been compromised.
• Another victim from Atali village, Vinesh, discovered an unauthorized debit of ₹99,000 from his rural bank account, with no prior authorization or awareness of the transaction.

Growing Use of Social Media and Messaging Apps in Cyber Fraud

Investigators note that the cases collectively point to a coordinated pattern of cyber fraud operations that rely heavily on social media advertisements, messaging platforms, and impersonated financial services. Fraudsters are increasingly using polished marketing content, fake documentation, and staged investment portals to build trust and prolong victim engagement.

Authorities have confirmed that multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered, and detailed forensic investigations are underway. Cybercrime units are analyzing banking transactions, digital footprints, mobile data, and communication records to trace the fraud networks involved.

Police Warn of Rising Digital Investment Scams

Officials have warned that such scams are becoming more sophisticated, often combining psychological manipulation with professional-looking digital interfaces to deceive investors. Authorities also stressed the importance of verifying investment platforms and avoiding unsolicited financial offers received via social media or messaging apps.

Investigations are ongoing, and officials believe additional victims linked to the same fraud networks may come forward as awareness increases.

Authorities investigate claims that pledged residential and commercial units were sold without bank approval in a suspected real estate fraud case

A real estate investigation has been launched in Ahmedabad after allegations surfaced that a builder firm sold flats and commercial properties that were already mortgaged against a bank loan of nearly ₹3 crore. Police are now examining whether the encumbered units were transferred to buyers without informing the lending institution or obtaining required approvals.

The case has raised concerns over financial irregularities in the local property market and possible misuse of secured assets.

Loan Default Triggers Discovery of Alleged Fraud

The dispute came to light after a complaint was filed at Navrangpura police station against directors of Keshav Narayan Buildcon LLP, the developer behind the Akshar Elysium project in Ahmedabad.

According to the complaint, the firm had taken a loan of around ₹3 crore from ICICI Home Finance by mortgaging several flats and commercial units as collateral.

While initial repayments were reportedly made on schedule, authorities said irregularities began surfacing after January 2025, when EMI payments became inconsistent and eventually stopped.

Following the default, the lender reviewed the loan account and discovered that multiple mortgaged properties had allegedly already been sold to third-party buyers.

Allegations of Sale Without Bank Consent

Investigators claim that the disputed units were transferred without obtaining a mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the financing institution, despite being pledged as security for the loan.

The complaint was filed by an employee of ICICI Home Finance’s CG Road office in Ahmedabad. It names company operators Ronak Sonani and Gordhan Gangani as key individuals under scrutiny for alleged financial misconduct and unauthorized property transactions.

Police are now mapping out how many units were sold while under mortgage and whether buyers were informed about the encumbrance status at the time of purchase.

Probe Expands to Financial and Documentation Records

Authorities are currently examining:

• Mortgage and loan agreements
• Property registration and transfer records
• Buyer documentation and sale deeds
• Bank repayment history
• Financial transaction trails

Investigators are also assessing whether intermediaries, including brokers or agents, played any role in facilitating the alleged unauthorized sales.

A key part of the inquiry is determining whether purchasers were aware that the flats and shops were already pledged as collateral to the bank.

Possible Wider Financial Misuse Under Investigation

Officials indicated that the case may extend beyond a simple loan default, suggesting potential concealment of encumbered assets and misuse of secured properties.

The probe is also exploring whether funds from property sales were diverted and whether additional stakeholders or financial institutions may have been affected by the transactions.

If confirmed, the allegations could lead to both criminal proceedings and multiple civil disputes involving ownership rights and recovery actions by lenders.

Growing Concerns in Real Estate Sector

The case has once again highlighted risks in India’s fast-moving real estate sector, particularly concerning the sale of mortgaged properties without lender approval and weak due diligence practices.

Experts say such cases often lead to prolonged legal disputes between buyers, builders, and financial institutions, especially when property status is not clearly disclosed at the time of sale.

Authorities are expected to continue gathering evidence as the investigation progresses.