Bumble match traps Bengaluru techie with marriage promise, vanishes with Rs 89 lakh

Bengaluru: Romance on an online dating app turned into a financial nightmare for a 43-year-old software engineer, who was allegedly cheated of nearly Rs 89 lakh in an elaborate investment fraud operated through WhatsApp and Telegram.According to the complaint filed by Surya (name changed), a resident of BTM Layout, the fraud began after he came in contact with a woman identifying herself as Sakshi Shetty on Feb 14 through dating app Bumble.Though her profile has since disappeared from the platform, the two had exchanged mobile numbers after texting for some time on the app. Soon, they began communicating regularly over WhatsApp, and via email; Sakshi used to contact him through [email protected].According to Surya, they were regularly in touch between Feb 15 and May 9 through chats, voice calls, video calls, audio recordings, photographs and videos. During this period, she allegedly gained his confidence by discussing marriage, future plans and a life together.Surya never met the woman in person, but trusted her after weeks of emotional and online bonding. Sakshi then introduced him to online investment platform called ‘Pu Prime CS’ and Telegram channel named ‘BSYTNYDGS 2,’ claiming that huge profits could be earned through Forex, oil, cryptocurrency, metal and contract for difference (CFD) trading.

She convinced Surya that the investments would help them build savings for their future life. The bank account details for deposits and withdrawals were allegedly shared through Telegram ID “@PuP_Pu_Prime_CS.” Initially, small returns were credited to his account.As part of the returns, the fraudsters transferred Rs 8,500 on March 10 from an account identified as ‘Vishal R (Merchant)’, followed by Rs 59,500 on March 21 from ‘Hiral Pa (Merchant)’.

On March 31, another Rs 5.4 lakh was transferred from ‘Navjeevan Traders.’Encouraged by the apparent profits, Surya continued investing larger sums in phases. But when he tried to withdraw cash, the fraudsters kept demanding more money, citing reasons such as income tax, processing fees and others. Surya eventually transferred a staggering Rs 88,76,975 before realising he had been duped.A case has been registered under Information Technology Act and BNS Sections 318 (cheating) and 319 (cheating by impersonation) at southeast cybercrime police station.

An officer said efforts are on to freeze the bank accounts of fraudsters. It’s an organised fraud using dating platforms and fake emotional relationships to lure victims.From dating to trading: Man cheated of Rs 1.6cr in scamBengaluru: What began as an online romance on a dating application ended in financial fraud after a 32-year-old private firm employee lost over Rs 1.6 crore to fraudsters posing as professional traders.Gourav (name changed), who stays in a paying guest accommodation in Electronics City, said he came in contact with a woman identifying herself as “Riya Agarwal” on dating app TanTan on Feb 15. She gained his trust within three days by frequently interacting with him through emails, social media and video calls, and promising to become his life partner.Soon, she persuaded him to invest in online trading platform called “Global Prime,” claiming it would generate huge profits through forex and digital trading.Gourav was told to check websites named “globalprimeus.com” and “m.globalprimejp.cc” and introduced to some “trading advisers”. He transferred over Rs 1.6 crore in 27 transactions between Feb 20 and May 7 through RTGS, IMPS, NEFT and digital payment applications to several bank accounts linked to different firms and enterprises across the country.When Gourav later attempted to withdraw the profits and invested amount, the fraudsters stopped responding on Telegram and WhatsApp.