💔 Cyber Romance Scam: Two Men Duped of ₹74 Lakh – A Cautionary Tale

 

💔 Cyber Romance Scam: Two Men Duped of ₹74 Lakh – A Cautionary Tale

📅 What happened?

In a shocking case from Pune, two men fell victim to an online "romance" con, losing a combined ₹74 lakh. The scam played out in two distinct ways:

1. Forex Fraud via Dating App:A 41‑year‑old engineering firm owner connected with a woman through a dating app. In February, she shared a link to a Forex platform. After an initial ₹20k investment and ₹2.2k “profit,” he felt confident and pumped in ₹48 lakh by March—only to see ₹53 lakh of fake gains. When asked to pay ₹13 lakh in “bank charges” to withdraw, alarm bells rang.Reff:- hindustantimes.com+10hindustantimes.com+10timesofindia.indiatimes.com+10hindustantimes.comhindustantimes.com+1timesofindia.indiatimes.com+1

2. Share Market Trickery:
   A 55‑year‑old corporate official from Pimple Saudagar was promised high returns from share trading. Between May and June, he transferred ₹32 lakh to scammers, only to find the scheme was bogus. hindustantimes.com+1timesofindia.indiatimes.com+1timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Police in Kothrud and Sangvi are investigating as both victims officially lodged complaints. timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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⚠️ Key Red Flags to Watch Out For

• "Earn quick rich" connections: Friendships from dating apps or DMs that pivot straight to investments.

• Fake profit statements: Initial "small gains" appearing genuine, but withdrawals blocked by sudden extra charges.

• Withdrawal fees & urgency: Scam forces you to pay “processing/bank charges” to access funds.

• Constant pressure: Scammer sets tight deadlines and excuses to stop communication if suspicious.

• No real customer support: No credible helpline, office, or verifiable documentation.

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✅ Protection Tips for Your Readers

• Never mix romance with investing: Keep love apps and financial decisions completely separate.

• Research independently: Verify brokers and apps via official regulatory websites, not links shared via chat.

• Test small & withdraw: Always try withdrawing small amounts before risking bigger sums.

• Seek second opinions: Ask trusted friends or financial advisors before significant transactions.

• Report ruthlessly: File FIRs and reach out to your bank/NCFRC or lodgement portals like cybercrime.gov.in.

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💬 Tone & Call to Action

Treat this as a wake-up call—scammers exploit emotions to gain credibility, then drain wallets. Encourage readers to share the post so others avoid falling into a similar trap. Invite them to:

• Comment below if they’ve encountered suspicious investment pitches.

• Share the blog with loved ones.

• Subscribe for more scam alerts.

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📌 Final Thought

Romance scams wrapped in investment illusions—like this case from Pune—are becoming alarmingly common. Stay vigilant, informed, and never act rashly when money’s involved. 🚫 If you're unsure, pause, verify, and consult a trusted ally.