Hyderabad man loses Rs 6.49 lakh in online dating scam

A 32-year-old man from Malakpet lost Rs 6.49 lakh after being duped in an online dating and friendship scam. The cybercrime police said the fraudsters, posing as company agents, persuaded him to transfer money for fake bookings and verifications

Hyderabad: A 32-year-old man from Malakpet lost Rs 6.49 lakh after allegedly falling victim to an online dating and friendship scam.

According to the police, the victim, who was looking for a life partner, clicked on a dating site link and later received a WhatsApp call from a woman who asked him to pay Rs 1,950 as a registration fee.

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Later, two other women contacted him and persuaded him to make several payments under the pretext of hotel booking, meeting confirmation, service tax and account verification.

“Believing their claims, he transferred nearly Rs 6.4 lakh to multiple bank accounts shared by the fraudsters. Realising he had been duped, he lodged a complaint with the cybercrime unit,” said a senior cybercrime official.

Officials said the fraud was part of a larger organised network impersonating reputed companies.

Victims of cyber fraud can report by dialling 1930 or visiting cybercrime.gov.in. For assistance, citizens can also WhatsApp 8712665171.