A 32-year-old software engineer from Bengaluru fell victim to a major cyber scam after connecting with a woman on a matrimonial website. The fraud cost him a total of Rs 79.3 lakh, according to a police complaint.
The victim, Rishi (name changed), who lives in Ramamurthy Nagar, said the scam started in early February 2025. He was contacted by a woman using the name Gunturi Rohini Varma, who claimed to be from Visakhapatnam and working for a trading company in the United Kingdom. She said she would visit India within six months to discuss marriage. The two began talking regularly through calls and texts and soon developed trust.
How the scam unfolded
Rishi told the police that Rohini contacted him through Indian and UK phone numbers: 9557079826 and +44 7563 712982. She gradually introduced him to a supposed investment opportunity that she claimed would give high returns, something they could use to build their life together.
She shared details of how the trading platform worked and convinced him to transfer money into different bank accounts. Soon, other scammers also joined in, pretending to be from the same trading firm. They showed Rishi fake profit updates on a website to gain his confidence.
But when Rishi tried to withdraw the supposed profits, he was told he would need to pay extra for taxes and processing fees.
“I was emotionally pressured and blackmailed. I made these payments out of fear of losing everything,” Rishi said in his complaint.
Between March and June 2025, Rishi made 18 transactions, transferring Rs 72.3 lakh to 12 different bank accounts. He realised he had been cheated after a phone call on 19 June, when Rohini asked for even more money to release the profits. When he refused, she and the others stopped responding.
Complaint filed too late
Rishi filed a complaint with the East CEN Crime Police Station on 23 June, after realising the extent of the fraud. One of the fraudsters even pretended to be a customer care executive, calling from +44 7907 448902.
The police have registered a case under the Information Technology Act and Section 318 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (cheating). However, officials say recovery will be difficult.
“He approached us late. The fraudsters quickly moved the money across several accounts and withdrew some of it,” said a senior police officer. He added that users should be cautious about online profiles involving trading and report such cases immediately by dialling the cyber helpline 1930.
Inputs from TOI
The victim, Rishi (name changed), who lives in Ramamurthy Nagar, said the scam started in early February 2025. He was contacted by a woman using the name Gunturi Rohini Varma, who claimed to be from Visakhapatnam and working for a trading company in the United Kingdom. She said she would visit India within six months to discuss marriage. The two began talking regularly through calls and texts and soon developed trust.
How the scam unfolded
Rishi told the police that Rohini contacted him through Indian and UK phone numbers: 9557079826 and +44 7563 712982. She gradually introduced him to a supposed investment opportunity that she claimed would give high returns, something they could use to build their life together.
She shared details of how the trading platform worked and convinced him to transfer money into different bank accounts. Soon, other scammers also joined in, pretending to be from the same trading firm. They showed Rishi fake profit updates on a website to gain his confidence.
But when Rishi tried to withdraw the supposed profits, he was told he would need to pay extra for taxes and processing fees.
“I was emotionally pressured and blackmailed. I made these payments out of fear of losing everything,” Rishi said in his complaint.
Between March and June 2025, Rishi made 18 transactions, transferring Rs 72.3 lakh to 12 different bank accounts. He realised he had been cheated after a phone call on 19 June, when Rohini asked for even more money to release the profits. When he refused, she and the others stopped responding.
Complaint filed too late
Rishi filed a complaint with the East CEN Crime Police Station on 23 June, after realising the extent of the fraud. One of the fraudsters even pretended to be a customer care executive, calling from +44 7907 448902.
The police have registered a case under the Information Technology Act and Section 318 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (cheating). However, officials say recovery will be difficult.
“He approached us late. The fraudsters quickly moved the money across several accounts and withdrew some of it,” said a senior police officer. He added that users should be cautious about online profiles involving trading and report such cases immediately by dialling the cyber helpline 1930.
Inputs from TOI
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