West Bengal Police Warns Women About Matrimonial Site Scams

Warning Against Matrimonial Fraud

Kolkata, Nov 4: The West Bengal Police issued a warning to women regarding fraudulent profiles on matrimonial websites, which are being exploited by cybercriminals.

In light of this, authorities urged women to exercise caution before engaging in romantic relationships online.

Recently, the Hooghly Rural Police dismantled a significant cyber-fraud operation that was utilizing matrimonial platforms, as reported on Tuesday.

The police revealed that the gang, using fictitious identities and emotional manipulation, deceived at least 20 women, amassing nearly Rs 3 crore.

Three individuals have been apprehended in connection with this case.

The investigation began after a 29-year-old woman from Singur, Hooghly, filed a complaint. She had met a man on a matrimonial site who claimed to be Anupam Roy, a mill owner from Burdwan.

He portrayed himself as a lonely individual with deceased parents and no close relatives, gradually gaining her trust through their online interactions. In January, he claimed his bank account was frozen due to tax issues and requested urgent financial assistance.

Believing she was aiding her future husband, the woman, along with her mother and grandmother, transferred funds to a designated bank account.

Initially, he provided a forged deposit slip as proof of repayment. However, as demands for more money continued, Anupam Roy avoided video calls, citing poor connectivity. This behavior raised her suspicions, prompting her to contact the police.

"When the case was first assigned to the cyber detectives of the Hooghly Police (Rural), it appeared to be a standard cyber fraud. However, we soon realized that the situation was much more complex, involving the emotions of at least 20 women," stated the Hooghly Police.

The police noted that Anupam's profile vanished from the site, and his phone number became unreachable.

"On July 3, a 32-year-old model named Abhishek Roy was arrested. He owned one of the five accounts where the money was deposited. Following his lead, Zahir Abbas (41) was apprehended within a week, and finally, on October 14, the gang's ringleader, Jamir Abbas (31), was captured while hiding in a resort in Mandarmani," the police reported.

Authorities indicated that the gang had been using unauthorized images and videos of South Indian models to create appealing profiles on matrimonial sites, presenting themselves as wealthy and attractive potential husbands.

"This network extended to Burdwan, Howrah, Tarakeswar, and even Delhi, with total earnings from the scam reaching Rs 3 crore. Approximately 20 young women fell victim to this fraud. We urge the public to exercise caution when using matrimonial sites," the police advised.