According to officials from the Faraskhana Police Station, the woman downloaded the app on August 1 and started chatting with a man who introduced himself as Rohan Patel from the Netherlands. The two later continued their conversations on WhatsApp, where Patel claimed he was coming to India to meet her.
A few days later, Patel told her that customs officials had seized €1,200 he was carrying and demanded a penalty of ₹85,800 for its release. He asked the woman to pay the amount, assuring her that he would repay it upon arrival. Believing him, she transferred the money.
Around the same time, the woman began speaking with another man named Leo, who claimed to be a ship captain based in London. Leo told her he was sending her expensive gifts — including clothes, rings, shoes, and cash — through a courier service. He even provided a fake tracking link.
Shortly afterward, she received a call from someone claiming to be a customs officer, who said the parcel had arrived at the airport and contained cash. She was told to pay ₹42,500 as a penalty to release it, which she did. Later, she was asked to pay an additional ₹1.5 lakh in “charges,” which she also transferred, trusting Leo’s assurances.
In total, the woman sent ₹2.77 lakh to the two fraudsters. When she later asked Patel about his arrival, he blocked her on WhatsApp. Leo also blocked her after she refused to pay further “insurance charges.”
Realizing she had been cheated, the woman filed a complaint at the Faraskhana Police Station. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation.
Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious while using dating or matrimonial apps, avoid transferring money to people met online, and verify all claims through official sources.
Tags:
Cybercrime
