A victim has lost ₹3.35 crore in an elaborate investment fraud that began with a romantic connection on Tinder, according to the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB). The case highlights a growing pattern of online scams where fraudsters exploit dating platforms to establish emotional bonds before luring victims into fake investment schemes.
The fraud began when a scammer contacted the victim through the dating application, claiming to be a foreign national. After initial contact on Tinder, the conversations shifted to WhatsApp, where the fraudster gradually built trust by discussing personal and family matters. This emotional manipulation laid the groundwork for what would become a massive financial deception spanning 55 days.
Once the relationship appeared established, the fraudster introduced an investment opportunity, claiming to earn substantial income through a Facebook/Meta-related advertising programme. The victim was persuaded to download an application through a shared link. The platform initially displayed apparent profits from transactions, creating an illusion of legitimacy that convinced the victim to continue investing larger amounts to supposedly complete more transactions and earn higher returns.
The scam unraveled when the victim attempted to withdraw the accumulated funds. Instead of processing the withdrawal, the fraudsters demanded additional money for credit points, falsely claiming the victim’s credit score had been reduced. This unexpected demand raised suspicion and exposed the fraudulent nature of the entire operation, prompting the victim to approach authorities.
The TGCSB has registered a case under relevant legal provisions and launched an investigation to identify the perpetrators and trace the money trail. The bureau explained that such scams appear convincing because fraudsters employ fake identities, emotional manipulation, fabricated success stories, fake trading applications and artificial profit displays. Initial transactions are deliberately made to appear profitable before victims are persuaded to invest larger sums.
The cyber security bureau has advised citizens not to invest money based solely on recommendations from people met online and warned against downloading investment applications or opening links shared by unknown persons. Anyone suspecting fraud should immediately call the Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 or report through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Early reporting during the Golden Hour can improve chances of preventing further financial loss and recovering defrauded funds.
