Hyderabad: A cybercrime case has shocked young people in Hyderabad regarding online matrimonial sites. Investigators uncovered a scam worth Rs 25 lakh on Friday. The fraudsters operated through an Instagram account filled with fake photos and promises. The main suspect, Aneesa Mohmad Yaseen Hundekar, was arrested along with Mohammed Abdul Aamer. Another suspect, Zohar Fathima, is still on the run. The group is believed to have scammed victims throughout India.
The scammers used an Instagram profile named ‘khoobsurat.rishte’ to attract victims with glamorous images. They added people to Islamic matrimony WhatsApp groups, posting edited photos of women and contact numbers. These supposed brides showed interest in marriage, gathering personal information from unsuspecting singles.
The scam was exposed when a man searching for a partner since March 2023 fell for the Instagram account. Casual chats turned serious, with emotional pleas for money due to fake health and domestic issues. Trusting the story, he sent Rs 25 lakh to bank accounts given by his online ‘fiancée.’ Eventually, he learned the photos belonged to Parwsha Shah, a well-known Pakistani social media figure.
After a raid, police confiscated mobile phones, laptops, tablets, bank passbooks, cheque books, and debit cards used in the scam. Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police warn the public to verify matrimonial proposals from social media, avoid emotional money requests, and not to share personal information or send money to unknown online contacts. This Hyderabad case highlights the ongoing danger of such scams online.
