Matrimonial Profile Exploited for Extortion: Bengaluru Woman Swindled of ₹23.5 Lakh in Fake ‘Doctor’ Airport Detention Scam

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.