A Bengaluru man recently became the victim of a dating app investment scam, losing Rs 1.29 crore in the process. The 42-year-old man ended up falling prey to the romance scam, or the ‘pig-butchering’ technique, which involved him being emotionally manipulated to share a massive amount of his savings in the name of an online investment fraud.
Based on a report from NDTV, the victim, identified as Jagadish C., lodged a formal complaint with the North CEN (Cybercrime, Economic Offences, Narcotics) Police on November 7. According to the police report, the fraudsters initiated contact on the dating platform Quack Quack. A woman, who identified herself as Meghana Reddy, played the central role by spending weeks grooming the victim and building an emotional trust.
Bengaluru man falls prey to dating app scam
The scam shifted from romance to finance when the scammer introduced a manipulative philanthropic angle. She allegedly told Jagadish that she wished to undertake a charitable project, specifically, building an old-age home in honour of his father. This sentimental pitch convinced the victim of her sincerity, leading him to believe he was starting a genuine relationship and a meaningful charitable cause.
Once the emotional groundwork was laid, the suspects transitioned to the investment phase. They directed Jagadish to a sophisticated, yet entirely fraudulent, website that claimed to offer lucrative opportunities in international stock markets. The scammers provided fabricated profit screenshots, leading Jagadish to believe that the platform was secure and highly rewarding.
Jagadish eventually fell prey to the victim and transferred a total of Rs 1,29,33,253 over two days using multiple RTGS and NEFT transactions.
Man realises scam after he transfers money
Soon after the funds were transferred, all communication with ‘Meghana Reddy’ and her accomplices ended abruptly. The promised investment returns never materialised, and the victim eventually reached out to the police to report the incident.
Although no further updates have emerged since then, the authorities urge the public to exercise caution when dealing with strangers online, especially on dating apps and social media. Here are some tips to stay safe from such crafty fraudsters:
– Be cautious when a stranger convinces you of a financial investment scheme in an unknown service.
– Experts advise verifying all investment claims through official, regulated channels and immediately reporting any suspicious activity or profiles to local cybercrime units.
– It is always advised not to disclose sensitive personal information to strangers at any cost.
