Elderly Man Scammed Out of Lakhs via Fake Dating App Profile

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New Delhi: A 67-year-old man from Delhi allegedly lost ₹1.30 lakh after being targeted through a fabricated profile on a dating application, with authorities stating his mobile phone was taken during an in-person meeting and funds subsequently transferred via UPI from his bank accounts.

Incident Details

The South-West Cyber Police Station has detained two individuals in connection with the alleged scheme. The suspects, identified as 26-year-old Jyotsna and 21-year-old Mansi, both from Delhi, were found in possession of two mobile devices.

The Scam Unfolds

According to law enforcement, a counterfeit identity was created on the dating platform to establish contact with the elderly victim and build trust. Jyotsna reportedly initiated communication with the man through the app before arranging face-to-face meetings. She later introduced her accomplice Mansi into the operation.

The Meetings

The victim engaged in two meetings with the suspects on July 20 and July 24. On the second occasion, the women met him for a meal at a restaurant in Defence Colony. During or following the encounter, the victim’s mobile phone was allegedly taken.

The Theft and Transfer

The perpetrators then accessed his banking services and transferred approximately ₹1.30 lakh through UPI transactions. Police noted that the stolen funds were first credited to one suspect’s account before being moved to another.

Investigation and Evidence

Investigators traced the financial activity and analyzed the movement of the money, which provided critical evidence linking the accused to the crime. The case involved multiple forms of evidence, including bank statements, KYC documents, surveillance footage, and digital forensics.

Technical Analysis

Technical analysis of the suspect accounts and devices revealed connections to the victim’s financial activities. During interrogations, the accused reportedly admitted to contacting the victim via the fake dating profile and orchestrating the meetings to execute the fraud.

Related Cases

Authorities are investigating whether the two women have participated in similar incidents involving other victims and if additional individuals are linked to the scheme. A separate case involving a young man who claimed his first date resulted in a ₹20,500 bill after his companion allegedly ordered high-value items at a pub has sparked discussions about online dating safety.

Expert Advice

Cybercrime experts recommend verifying the identity of individuals met through digital platforms and avoiding disclosure of financial details, passwords, or UPI PINs. Mobile devices should remain under the owner’s control during meetings, particularly when payment applications are accessible.

According to law enforcement, a counterfeit identity was created on the dating platform to establish contact with the elderly victim and build trust.

Cybercrime experts recommend verifying the identity of individuals met through digital platforms and avoiding disclosure of financial details, passwords, or UPI PINs.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

Law enforcement continues to examine the financial records, digital evidence, and potential connections between the accused and other cases. The legal proceedings against the two women remain pending.