How the Scam Unfolded
According to the FIR registered by the North CEN Crime Police, the victim met unknown individuals through the dating platform QuackQuack. Over time the scammers gained his trust and persuaded him to invest through a website that falsely claimed to offer large returns from international stock markets.
The scheme included one accused, a woman named Meghana Reddy, who allegedly convinced the victim that she wished to build an old-age home in his father’s name. This emotional hook helped secure his trust and motivated him to transfer substantial funds.
Between 5 November and 6 November the victim executed multiple RTGS and NEFT transfers totalling about Rs 1.29 crore. After transferring the money he neither received any promised returns nor was able to recover his principal. Realising he had been duped, he approached the police.
Under the complaint, the case has been registered under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS). An investigation is now underway to trace the accused and recover the defrauded amount.
Why This Scam Succeeds
The use of a dating app to initiate contact gives the fraudsters access to personal trust and emotional engagement.
The promise of high returns from international stock markets creates the allure of quick wealth.
Initial small payments or pseudo-profits may be shown to lure the victim into transferring larger sums.
Once large sums are paid and returns fail to appear, the victim realises too late that the platform and contacts were fake.
In fact, such schemes align with what is known in fraud-literature as a “romance scam” or “investment pig-butchering” scenario, where emotional manipulation is followed by investment trap.
What Victims Can Do Now
Immediately contact your bank and ask to freeze any further transfers.
File a complaint with the local cybercrime police station – in this case, the North CEN Crime unit.
Request tracing of the fund transfers and recovery from the involved bank accounts.
Preserve all chat transcripts, app screens, bank receipts and any digital footprints of the scam.
Report the scam to the national cybercrime helpline (in India dial 1930) and also inform the app provider of the dating platform if possible.
How to Protect Yourself
Always verify the identity of people you meet online, especially when money or investment is involved.
Be suspicious of high-yield investment offers from relative strangers.
Never transfer large sums based on emotional stories or promises of quick returns.
Use only certified investment platforms registered with regulatory authorities (in India, e.g., SEBI).
Enable two-factor authentication, keep banking apps updated and avoid downloading unknown links sent by chat contacts.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1. How did the fraudsters make initial contact?
They made contact via a dating app (QuackQuack). Over time, they built trust via chat, conversation and emotional connection.
Q2. What kind of investment was promised?
The victim was persuaded to invest in a website that claimed to provide high returns from international stock markets.
Q3. How much money was lost?
Approximately Rs 1.29 crore (Rs 1,29,33,253) was transferred by the victim.
Q4. What legal action has been taken?
A case has been registered under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 by the cybercrime police, and investigation is ongoing.
Q5. Can the money be recovered?
Recovery is possible but challenging. It depends on tracing the transaction chain, identifying the bank accounts used, and cooperation of banks and law enforcement. Victim’s quick action increases chances.
Q6. Are dating apps inherently unsafe?
Not inherently, but they are increasingly used as a vector for scams. Always approach online relationships and investment solicitations with caution.
Published on : 10TH November
Published by : SARANYA
source credit ; Reethu Rajpurohit
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