Key Highlights:
- Bengaluru software engineer lost Rs 6.43 lakh to a fake NRI doctor on a matrimony app scam.
- Scammer used stories about Delhi airport fees and a large Demand Draft to extort money.
- Matrimony app scams and online frauds surged in India in 2025, especially in Karnataka.
Opening overview
Matrimony app scam incidents are increasingly threatening the digital matchmaking ecosystem in India. Most recently, a Bengaluru software engineer was duped of Rs 6.43 lakh by a fraudster posing as an NRI doctor on a matrimony app. This matrimony app scam started with friendly conversation but quickly escalated into financial fraud marked by elaborate stories and fake demands. Such scams reveal the vulnerabilities inherent in online matrimonial platforms.
Karnataka ranks as the state most affected by online frauds in 2025, partly due to its tech-savvy population and heavy digital payment usage. This article examines the specifics of this recent matrimony app scam case, rising trends in matrimonial online fraud across India, official data on digital scams, and key precautions to avoid falling victim to matrimony app scams.
The Bengaluru matrimony app scam case
- A 34-year-old Bengaluru techie lost Rs 6.43 lakh to a scammer impersonating an NRI doctor on a matrimony app.
- The scam involved detailed stories about customs fees, a large Demand Draft in Euros, and fake airport staff.
On October 24, the victim matched with a man calling himself Vikram Sisode claiming to be an orthopaedic doctor in the Netherlands. The scammer shifted conversations to Telegram and phone calls, building trust with the victim. Subsequently, he requested Rs 25,000 for personal expenses and promised repayment upon arrival in India. He narrated additional stories of sending money to an agent in Dubai for hotel arrangements.
On November 15, the scam intensified with demands for money for fees such as Demand Draft Declaration and Registration Fee at Delhi Airport, including calls from a woman impersonating airport staff. Trusting these tales, the victim transferred Rs 6.43 lakh through IMPS and PhonePe. Upon realizing it was a scam, a police complaint was filed. Such matrimony app scams use emotional manipulation and complex ruses to extract money.
Rise of matrimony app scams in India
- Matrimony app scams are on the rise due to increasing digital matchmaking and lax profile verification.
- Scammers often pose as NRIs and professionals to lure financially stable individuals.
- Victims often lose significant amounts by trusting fabricated stories and fake identities.
India’s growing reliance on matrimonial apps has been accompanied by a surge in online matrimonial frauds. Scammers leverage fake profiles claiming foreign residence and lucrative professions to emotionally manipulate users. Many victims are widowed or divorced women and men seeking committed relationships, making them vulnerable to false representations of trustworthiness. These fraudsters engineer scenarios requiring money transfers for fabricated personal emergencies or legal fees. Online matrimonial platforms often lack rigorous Know Your Customer (KYC) standards or background checks, enabling scammers to persist. Several recent cases across India highlight how fake NRI doctor profiles are used to defraud large sums. Awareness and caution are critical to combating the threat of matrimony app scams.
Official data on online fraud and cybercrime in India
- NCRB projects around 71,500 online fraud cases in India in 2025.
- Karnataka leads with 18,400 estimated cases, followed by Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
- The rise in UPI transactions and digital payments correlates with increased cyber fraud incidents.
Official data from the NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) and Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre reflect a sharp increase in online fraud cases, including those through matrimony app scams. Karnataka tops the list with an estimated 18,400 cases projected in 2025, due to its urban centers like Bengaluru that have high digital payment penetration. Telangana is next with 15,400 cases, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The adoption of UPI and other mobile payments has increased fraud opportunities through phishing and fake payment requests. The Reserve Bank of India reports rising instances of digital payment frauds by 15% in 2024. Though government efforts to curb cybercrime involve strengthening law enforcement and user awareness, rapid changes in scam tactics mean vigilance remains essential.
Precautions to avoid matrimony app scams
- Verify profiles rigorously by cross-checking workplace, social media, and background details.
- Avoid early financial transfers and be skeptical of urgent money requests or unusual fees.
- Prefer keeping conversations on official platforms and meet in public places when possible.
To protect against matrimony app scams, users should adopt cautious behaviors and verification practices. Checking the authenticity of profiles using multiple sources such as LinkedIn, Google, and other social media can help identify red flags. Financial transactions should be avoided during early stages of online communication. Reports of urgent fees or requests for money for legal or travel expenses commonly indicate scams. Communication should initially remain on the matrimony platform, moving to private messaging only once significant trust is established. Where possible, meeting in safe physical locations can confirm identities. Swift reporting of suspicious profiles to platform administrators and cybercrime cells helps prevent further victimization.
Final perspective
Matrimony app scams represent a serious and growing threat in India’s digital matchmaking landscape. The Bengaluru Rs 6.43 lakh scam underscores how even tech-savvy individuals are vulnerable to sophisticated fraud tactics. Karnataka’s high online fraud rates demand systemic improvements in digital safety protocols and public awareness. Users must remain vigilant about profile authenticity, financial caution, and safe communication habits. Matrimony app operators and law enforcement should strengthen verification and quick response mechanisms. A combined effort among users, platforms, and authorities is vital to curb these emotional and financial betrayals driving matrimony app scams in India.
