Trapped during hunt for spouse online

96 cases filed between 2015 and 2018; only 43 of those solved; cops ask customers to be cautious

MUMBAI: No one said true love is easy, but in the age of the romance scam, those looking for love on matrimonial sites run a risk of being not just heartbroken, but also scammed. As many as 36 matrimonial fraud cases were reported in 2017 in the state and in 2018, eight cases have been reported till May. Between 2015 and May 2018, 96 matrimonial frauds were registered in Maharashtra and only 43 of these were detected. The police are urging customers and matrimonial sites to be more vigilant.

Special inspector general, Maharashtra (cyber) Brijesh Singh said, “Romance scam is very serious. It is sad. The victims are inconsolable.”

In a romance scam, one party (usually male) professes the intention of marrying the other party (usually women) and uses the resulting goodwill to commit fraud.

“One woman sold her flat and gave ₹50 lakh to one such fraudster,” said Singh, adding that a better “support system” needed to be set up for victims. “We don’t get the information easily while investigating such crimes. Privacy is important but data localisation is also important. Criminals use anti-forensic methods to commit crimes,” said Singh.

One of the obstacles is that often, victims do not want to come forward. Advocate Vicky Shah, who specialises in cyber law, told HT, “In 2017, six matrimonial fraud victims approached me. Only three more approached me this year so far. Only one case has been registered, as others feared it may tarnish their reputation. Social stigma and parental pressure also comes in way of reporting such cases.”

Deputy commissioner of police (cyber) Akbar Pathan summarised the precautions someone should take: “If you become serious about marrying someone you meet on matrimonial site, ask the person to meet you in public. Never share any of your private photos or transfer money whatsoever the reason might be.”