A 30-year-old software engineer from Bengaluru, Manasa (name changed), fell victim to a fraudulent scheme, losing Rs 2.6 lakh to a conman who pretended to be a neurosurgeon based in the United Kingdom. Manasa had created a profile on a matrimonial website in December 2024 in search of a potential partner. In January 2025, she connected with a man named Dr. Sujeet Kumar, who claimed to be a neurosurgeon working in the UK.
After some exchanges, Sujeet expressed his desire to marry her and promised extravagant gifts, including a car and house, which Manasa refused. He told her he would soon visit India and shared his flight details and a photograph. However, he avoided a video call, citing work constraints at an “army camp.”
On January 27, Manasa received a call from someone claiming to be a customs official at Delhi airport, stating that Sujeet was being detained with 50,000 Pounds (approx. Rs 53 lakh) and needed to pay a customs fee of Rs 38,500. Manasa, moved by Sujeet’s apparent distress, transferred the funds via a digital payment app.
The fraudsters continued to demand money, and Manasa ended up sending a total of Rs 2.6 lakh. The following day, the bank alerted her to suspicious transactions. Realizing she had been scammed, Manasa filed a complaint, and police have since opened an investigation under the IT Act and cheating charges.
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