After corresponding with a man posing as Dr. Aayaan Kumar George on the well-known dating app Bumble, a 35-year-old PhD candidate employed at the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)-IMTech in Gurugram discovered herself in a risky situation. In September 2023, they first connected, setting off a voyage that would take an unforeseen turn.It’s simple to fall prey to the temptation of love or companionship in the era of internet dating
Over the course of their online chats, the man made it clear that he was eager to see her in person. When people use online dating to try to close the gap between their virtual and physical connections, this is usual. The woman agreed to meet, thrilled by the idea of finally meeting her Bumble match.Anticipating to meet her Bumble match, the woman consented to meet him at the airport when he landed in India. She had no idea that this would be the beginning of her terrifying journey.
The Elaborate Ruse: Customs Duty Charges
The individual approached the scholar with a shocking account after travelling to India. He asserted that his mother’s possessions had been taken by Indian customs and asked for a sizeable payment of Rs 1 lakh to settle the alleged customs tax charges. She deposited the money under pressure and believed his story, unwittingly walking into a well-planned trap.
Scammers at Work: The Trick Shows
The first transfer was not the end of the scam. There was more trickery when a lady posing as a customs officer called later. The victim was told by the false customs officer that her partner was recently caught in possession of an excessive quantity of UK pounds, and she was required to pay an extra Rs 68,500. The victim, puzzled and worried, complied with the request.
Bumble Match’s Growing Demands: An Increasing Scam
Another woman called and wanted an additional Rs 3 lakh, alleging a bogus violation of currency limitations while the victim struggled to understand the unfolding scam. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the sufferer grudgingly gave the request some thought. The con artists persisted in their deception, playing on her feelings and pushing her resolve.
Awakening to Deception: The Turning Point
In the end, the victim blocked the scammer’s number and deleted the Bumble app after realizing how serious the scam was. This did not, however, stop the fraudster from bothering her further using a different WhatsApp number. Her entire loss to the fraudsters was Rs 98,500, which left her feeling betrayed and angry.
Making a Police Complaint in the Pursuit of Justice
Ultimately, the victim took the brave choice to report the incident to the police, formally lodging a complaint under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 419, 420, and 120B. Her resolve to pursue justice and hold the fraudsters accountable for their deeds was demonstrated by this action.
Article by Debanjana Talukdar
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