Hyderabad: A 47-year-old woman from Saidabad fell victim to a sophisticated online marriage scam, losing ₹3.38 lakh to a fraudster who posed as a UK-based doctor. The racket involved fake identities, forged documents, and a bogus “UK Affairs Office” operating out of Delhi, the Cyber Crime Unit of Hyderabad Police revealed.
Fraudster Posed as UK Doctor, Gained Trust Through Video Calls
According to the Cyber Crime Police, the woman was approached by a man who identified himself as “Hirad Ahmed,” claiming to be a medical professional based in the United Kingdom. Through WhatsApp calls, messages, and even video chats, he allegedly gained her confidence before manipulating her into following his instructions.
Victim Forced to Open Bank Accounts, Send ATM Cards to Fake Delhi Office
The accused allegedly asked the woman to open two new bank accounts and purchase two SIM cards, claiming it was required for marriage-related formalities. She was instructed to courier the ATM cards, passbooks, and SIMs to a so-called “UK Affairs Office” in New Delhi — later found to be completely fake.
Police said the gang used these bank accounts for laundering and further fraudulent activities.
Fake Visa, Marriage Documents Used to Extort Money
After receiving her bank and identification documents, the fraudsters sent forged visa papers and marriage-related documents to appear legitimate. They then demanded repeated payments under various pretexts — visa fees, late charges, luggage issues, hotel stay costs, flight problems, and medical emergencies.
Believing the fabricated stories, the woman transferred ₹3,38,200 in multiple transactions. When the scammers suddenly stopped responding and she received calls from unknown numbers, she realised she had been cheated.
Cyber Crime Police Issue Public Advisory
Following the complaint, Hyderabad Cyber Crime Unit issued a warning to the public, highlighting the surge in online marriage proposal scams. Citizens were advised to:
- avoid trusting unsolicited proposals received via social media or messaging apps
- refrain from sharing bank details or personal documents with strangers
- verify any communication claiming to be from government or international authorities
Police emphasised that fraudsters often impersonate officials to demand money and urged verification through official channels before making any payments.
