In yet another alarming case of online fraud, a 50-year-old IT professional from Gurugram lost a staggering ₹73.42 lakh after falling victim to a sophisticated scam run through a dating app. Police officials revealed the fraud on Sunday, confirming that the victim was tricked into a fake investment scheme by a woman posing as a romantic interest.
How the Scam Began
According to police at the Cyber Crime Police Station (East), the victim, employed at a multinational company, created an account on a dating app in early August. Shortly after, he was contacted by a woman who pretended to be romantically interested in him. Their interactions quickly shifted from the app to WhatsApp and video calls, where the bond appeared to deepen.
During one such call, the man mentioned his dream of owning a mansion in Goa. Police say the woman exploited this detail, persuading him to create an account on a so-called “trading platform” that promised high returns.
The Investment Trap
The victim was also added to a Telegram group that provided daily investment updates, giving the scheme an appearance of legitimacy. Encouraged by early profits, he first invested on August 29. Within weeks, his investments grew, and by late September he was reportedly entitled to withdraw ₹2.04 lakh.
However, when he attempted to withdraw the funds, he was told he would need to deposit an additional 25% of the total amount to process the request. When he hesitated, the woman allegedly manipulated him emotionally to reinvest. Soon after, the victim found himself blocked both from the platform and the Telegram group, cutting him off entirely from his funds.
Police Action
Sandeep Turan, Public Relations Officer of Gurugram Police, confirmed that an FIR under Section 318(4) of the Indian Penal Code (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) was registered at the Cyber Police Station (East) on Saturday.
“We are investigating the matter, and the suspects involved in the scam will soon be apprehended,” Turan said.
Advisory for Citizens
Authorities have once again urged citizens to exercise caution when interacting with strangers online, particularly through dating apps. Officials also stressed the importance of verifying any trading or investment platforms before transferring money, as scammers increasingly exploit emotions and false promises to deceive victims.
