Chennai, Mar 31 (UNI) In a major breakthrough, the Cryber Crime Wing
of the Tamil Nadu Police busted a Matrimonial scam network using crypto
trading and arrested four people in this connection in the southern Theni
district of the State.
An official release here said a statewide coordinated operation by
Cyber Crime Wing unearthed Matrimonial Scam Network in Tamil Nadu"
A new investment scam is targeting individuals through fake matrimonial profiles.
Scammers create fake profiles on matrimonial websites, build trust with victims
by posing as potential alliance, and then propose high-return investment
opportunities, often involving real estate, stocks, forex trading or cryptocurrency
trading.
In one of the cases, four accused have been arrested by the Police in Theni
district.
The complainant oversees his father’s mill in Theni. In search of an alliance
for his marriage, the victim registered his details on Sangam, a matrimonial
App.
On a fateful day he received a profile match from one ID named Harini. After
reviewing her details, he initiated the conversation through the App. As their
interaction continued, he contacted her via WhatsApp.
The suspect built a relationship with the victim by giving false assurances of
marriage. To gain his trust and attention, she shared alleged profits she had
earned through crypto trading.
At one point, she claimed that her father had suffered losses in the Indian
stock market and introduced the concept of Crypto trading.
She then persuaded the victim to invest in Crypto trading. Initially, the victim
refused, but the suspect manipulated him and ultimately influenced him to
invest Rs.88,58,988 in Cryptotrading.
Based on this, a FIR was registered at the Cyber Crime Police Station Theni
District u/s 66C, 66D IT Act and 318(2), 318(4) BNS.
During investigation, it was found that the victim had transferred a total amount
on 25 occasions to two City Union Bank accounts.
The investigation by special team led to the arrest of four accused persons.
The bank accounts to which the victim has transferred money
belonged to persons namely, Lakshmi and Anandhi, both of them are daily
wage workers.
On investigation, it is found that the ladies were manipulated
by one Nanda Gopal (30) from Erode by offering a commission of Rs. 2,000
for opening those accounts.
Later, it was handed over to accused Yuvarajan (33), also from Erode and
accused Padmanaban (32) from Coimbatore who had direct contact with
the Cambodian accused via Telegram.
Another accused named Siva, was arrested who was working under the
above duo.
The arrest led to the seizure of Rs.3,90,000/-, six mobile phones, 29 Debit
cards, 18 Cheque books, 12 Bank Passbooks, 46 SIM cards and three
Notebooks containing account details.
Further investigations are under progress.
UNI GV 0640