Fake 'marine engineer' dupes Bengaluru artist on Shaadi.com; police search for cyber fraudster

A cybercriminal tricked a Bengaluru woman into transferring ₹8.21 lakh under false pretenses of a marriage proposal.

Published on: Nov 21, 2024, 08:56:42 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

In yet another case of cybercrime, a 43-year-old Bengaluru artist seeking companionship on a matrimonial site ended up losing ₹8.21 lakh to a fraudster posing as a marine engineer, Prajavani reported.

The police have registered a case under Sections 318 and 319 of the IT Act and the IPC.

The victim, residing with her family in Mylasandra in Bengaluru’s Kengeri, registered on Shaadi.com in April, hoping to find a life partner. On April 12, she received a marriage proposal from a man named Ajay Agarwal, who claimed to be a marine engineer.

Impressed by his credentials and charmed by his conversations on WhatsApp, she accepted his proposal.

Trap unfolds

Over the weeks, Ajay claimed he was on a ship traveling from the United States to Mumbai. On May 22, he messaged the artist, narrating a dramatic story about a pirate attack that forced his ship to dock at a nearby port. He requested her help to receive his belongings in India, supposedly sent through a logistics company. Believing his story, the artist provided her address.

Shortly after, she received a call from someone posing as a logistics representative, demanding ₹2.63 lakh as administrative and registration fees for delivering the documents. Trusting Ajay, who assured her the money would be repaid, she transferred the amount.

(Also Read: ED arrests Bengaluru man for Income Tax returns, refund 'fraud')

The demands didn’t stop there. The artist was asked to pay additional amounts under various pretexts, including customs fees, totaling ₹8.21 lakh. The payments were made in multiple installments from her accounts and those of her family members.

When Ajay stopped responding to her messages, the victim realized she had been duped. On November 8, she filed a complaint with the Cyber Crime Police.

Police Investigation

The police have registered a case under Sections 318 and 319 of the IT Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Investigators suspect the fraudster is part of a larger cybercrime network. Efforts are underway to trace the accused, who vanished after extracting the money.

(Also Read: Bengaluru Electric Vehicle showroom catches fire while charging a scooter, 20-year-old employee killed)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest City News, local updates, weather alerts and breaking stories from Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and other major cities across India on Hindustan Times.