Fraudster Posed as Belgium-Based Doctor, Used Matrimonial Portal to Gain Trust
Bengaluru: In a shocking case of cyber fraud, a 34-year-old divorcee from Bengaluru was allegedly cheated of over ₹1.3 lakh by a man posing as a Belgium-based doctor. The accused reportedly exploited her trust and emotions through a Valentine’s Day gift scam.
According to police sources, the woman, a resident of Veeranapalya, had registered on a matrimonial portal for divorcees when she was contacted by the fraudster. He introduced himself as a doctor settled in Belgium and quickly built a rapport through regular conversations.
The accused allegedly began communicating with her frequently on WhatsApp, sending affectionate messages and expressing interest in marriage. Over time, he gained her confidence and established what appeared to be a serious relationship.
As Valentine’s Day approached, the man told her that he had sent expensive gifts along with euros as a token of his love. Soon after, she received a call from another individual posing as a customs official who claimed that a parcel addressed to her had arrived in India but was being held due to unpaid clearance charges.
The fraudsters then demanded money under various pretexts, including customs duty, tax clearance, and courier handling fees. Trusting the assurances of the man she believed to be her fiancé, the woman reportedly transferred over ₹1.3 lakh through multiple transactions.
Her suspicions were raised when the callers continued to demand additional payments even after she had complied several times. When she confronted the man, he allegedly insisted that further payments were required to secure the parcel’s release.
Realising that she had been duped, the woman approached the police and lodged a formal complaint. An investigation has been initiated to trace the accused and track the money trail.
Police officials have stated that such scams typically increase around Valentine’s Day, targeting individuals through matrimonial and dating platforms. Similar cases have been reported in cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kochi, where fraudsters pose as NRI professionals and lure victims with promises of love, marriage, and expensive gifts.
