Pune IT engineer duped of ₹6 lakh after trusting man she met on matrimonial site
A young IT engineer from Pune lost ₹6 lakh after a man she met on a matrimonial site trapped her in a fake airport-currency scam; police have begun investigation.
Pune, December 1, 2025 – A young IT engineer in the city has fallen victim to yet another online matrimonial scam, losing ₹6 lakh to a man she believed she could build a future with. According to police, the woman had connected with the accused through a matrimonial platform where he presented himself as an eligible groom. Over several conversations, he gained her trust, spoke about marriage and presented himself as financially stable and responsible.
The scam unfolded when the man told her he was travelling and had encountered trouble at the airport over a currency-related issue. Claiming that authorities had detained him and that he urgently needed money to clear the situation, he requested financial help. Believing his story and wanting to support someone she thought was trustworthy, the woman transferred ₹6 lakh through digital payment methods.
Once the money was sent, the man stopped responding, and his profile went inactive. Realising she had been deceived, the woman approached the police and lodged a complaint. The case has now been registered under sections related to cheating and cyber-fraud, and investigators are working to trace the bank accounts and digital footprints involved.
This incident mirrors a pattern that Pune police have been warning residents about for months. Several individuals, especially working professionals, have reported falling victim to similar scams on matrimonial and dating platforms. In one earlier case in the city, a woman lost over ₹40 lakh to a fraudster who used almost the same method — a sudden “airport emergency” paired with emotional manipulation. Police say the promise of marriage is one of the most common narratives used by scammers to build trust quickly.
Cyber-crime units note that fraudsters operate with well-crafted scripts. They often create profiles with polished photos, fake job titles and convincing backstories. Once emotional trust is established, they create an urgent situation that pressures victims into immediate payments. The urgency reduces critical thinking and increases the chance of financial loss. Once the money is transferred, it is quickly moved across multiple accounts, making recovery difficult.
Police have urged residents to be extremely cautious when dealing with unknown individuals online, especially when financial requests are involved. They recommend verifying identity through video calls, cross-checking personal details, and involving family members before making major decisions. Authorities also suggest never sending money to someone met online unless the situation has been independently verified. Emotional pressure, secrecy and urgency are usually clear signs of fraud.
Investigators are now reviewing transaction records in the case of the IT engineer and are coordinating with cyber-crime experts to track down the suspect. They say early reporting improves the chances of freezing fraudulent accounts before the money disappears completely.
As online matchmaking continues to grow, police warn that scams like these will only become more sophisticated. They advise users to prioritise safety over sentiment and stay alert to the tactics commonly used by online fraudsters. For the young woman who filed the complaint, the hope is that at least part of the stolen amount can be recovered as the investigation progresses.
