Matrimonial scam: Hyderabad man loses Rs. 21L to fake bride, sister impersonating Pakistani actress
Hyderabad: A 29-year-old man from Bahadurpura was duped of ₹21,73,912 in a matrimonial scam that began in March 2023. The fraud was carried out through a social media-based matrimonial group.
The victim was approached by two individuals who introduced themselves as Fathima, a prospective bride, and Aneesa M. Hundekar, claiming to be Fathima’s sister and the group administrator. They used fake identities and impersonated a well-known Pakistani actress to build trust.
Over time, they engaged the victim in emotionally manipulative conversations. They shared forged documents and fabricated a story about Fathima’s mother being critically ill. Citing financial distress, they requested money for medical treatment and promised repayment from supposed property assets.
To build credibility, the scammers initially returned small sums. After receiving a total of ₹21,73,912, they stopped responding, blocked the victim, and disappeared. The fraudsters are reportedly still active in other matrimonial groups, using similar fake profiles to target new victims.
Public Advisory: Protect Yourself from Online Matrimonial Scams
Cybercrime authorities advise the public to stay cautious:
- Verify identities. Always ask for video calls. Use reverse image search to check photos.
- Be skeptical of emotional stories. Illness, death, or family conflict used early in conversations are common tactics to gain sympathy.
- Do not share personal or financial details early. Avoid sending money or sharing banking information with someone you have not met.
- Watch for red flags. Urgency, inconsistent stories, and refusal to meet in person are warning signs.
- Report suspicious activity. Report fake profiles and scams to the platform and at cybercrime.gov.in.
Keep records of all communication, including messages, call logs, and transaction details. Victims of cyber fraud should call 1930 or reach out to 8712665171 via call or WhatsApp for assistance.