A 59-year-old instructor, who was searching for a brand new lease of life, allegedly misplaced Rs 2.27 crore over a interval of 5 years to a “groom” she met on a matrimonial portal, the Bengaluru police mentioned. The matter got here to mild when the sufferer approached the East Division of the Cybercrime, Financial Offences and Narcotics (CEN) wing of the police on October 3.
In line with investigators, the sufferer, a resident of East Bengaluru, works in a central government-run college. She misplaced her husband, and her son doesn’t dwell together with her. Searching for a associate, she discovered a match on jeevansathi.com in December 2019. The ‘groom’ launched himself as Aahan Kumar, a US citizen dwelling in Atlanta.
Kumar, who claimed to have accomplished his postgraduation from Georgia College, informed the sufferer that he was a drilling engineer for “Lukoil firm in Istanbul”, and labored on a rig within the Black Sea. Quickly, the 2 determined to tie the knot, officers mentioned.
‘Caring nature’
Within the First Data Report (FIR), the complainant mentioned that the fraudster usually referred to as her and requested about her well-being. “I used to be impressed by his mature behaviour, caring angle, and so on. In January 2020, he requested me cash as he didn’t have ample funds for meals. Out of kindness, I despatched him cash. The contact variety of one Madhavi was shared by him for transactions,” she said.
The sufferer mentioned they communicated over WhatsApp and he assured her that any cash taken from her can be thought of a mortgage. As soon as the corporate paid his price on the finish of his contract interval, which he mentioned was six months, the borrowed quantity can be returned to her. “Trusting his phrases and respecting the bond we shared, I agreed to his calls for,” the lady mentioned.
Fraudster cited varied causes to borrow cash
Whereas asking her for cash, Kumar allegedly cited a number of causes, together with repairing the drilling machines as a consequence of a storm within the Black Sea, paying varied fines to officers, medical remedies, and so on. Over 5 years, the lady transferred a complete of Rs 2.27 crore, availing of loans from varied banks, the police added.
In November 2024, Kumar requested her for Rs 3.5 lakh, however by then she suspected that one thing was mistaken and sought all her a reimbursement. Nevertheless, he dodged her by giving false assurances. Lastly, the lady shared her ordeal with mates and relations who requested her to file a police grievance, an officer mentioned.
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The East CEN police have booked the person below sections 66(c) (identification theft) and 66(d) (dishonest by personation by utilizing pc sources) of the Data Know-how Act and below Part 318 (4) (dishonest) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).