Prayagraj Doctor Loses ₹1 Crore to Matrimonial Website Investment Scam
A Doctor’s Online Friendship Turns Sour: ₹1 Crore Lost in Investment Scam
A recent case of cyber deception has come to light in which a doctor was swindled out of over ₹1 crore through an elaborate online scam.
The Scam
The perpetrators initially gained the victim’s trust by befriending him on a matrimonial website, before luring him into investing in foreign currency and gold trading schemes with promises of unusually high returns.
In March 2025, the scammer sent Kumar a link to a trading website and convinced him to open an account and start investing. Later, the scammer shifted the trading activities to another link and used Telegram to send instructions on when to buy and sell, directing Kumar to invest in currency and gold trades. Initially, the scammer reflected profits in the trading account to build Kumar’s confidence.
Over time, Kumar transferred funds from his HDFC Bank account through 23 separate transactions into different bank accounts, totaling ₹1,00,31,269. However, when Kumar attempted to withdraw the invested amount, the website refused to allow any withdrawal, instead asking him to deposit additional charges and taxes to process the withdrawal. Upon growing suspicious, Kumar tried contacting the scammer, but all communication had ceased.
The Investigation
Realizing he had been defrauded, Kumar approached the cyber police and filed a complaint. The Cyber Crime Police are now investigating the case, examining bank accounts, mobile numbers, IP addresses, and transaction details linked to the scam. Authorities suspect the involvement of an inter-state or possibly international cyber fraud syndicate.
Warning to Citizens
Experts note that cases of romance scams and investment fraud through matrimonial and social media platforms are increasing, where emotional trust is first established before financial exploitation takes place. The police have urged citizens to exercise caution while investing online and to avoid clicking on suspicious links or trusting unknown individuals offering lucrative returns.
The investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being made to trace and arrest the accused. As the case unfolds, it highlights the importance of being vigilant when engaging in online transactions and the need for increased awareness about the tactics used by cyber scammers.
About Author
English