Valentine's Day Romance Turns Into Rs 1.3 Lakh Cyber Fraud Nightmare in Bengaluru
A 34-year-old divorcee from Bengaluru experienced a heartbreaking financial loss after falling victim to an elaborate gift parcel scam, just as Valentine's Day approached. The woman, whose identity has been protected as Anusha, was deceived out of more than Rs 1.3 lakh by cyber criminals posing as a foreign doctor and customs officials.
The Deceptive Love Story Unfolds
Anusha, a resident of Veeranapalya in north Bengaluru, had registered on a matrimonial portal specifically for divorcees. Soon after, she was contacted by a man calling himself Shiva Vishnu Surendra. He claimed to be a doctor professionally settled in Belgium and initiated friendly conversations through WhatsApp.
The fraudster built trust gradually, engaging in regular chats, sending affectionate messages, and even discussing marriage proposals. As Valentine's Day on February 14 drew near, Surendra informed Anusha that he had sent her expensive gifts and euros as a romantic gesture.
The Customs Trap Springs Shut
Two days later, Anusha received a call from a different number. The caller introduced himself as a customs official and stated that a parcel containing valuable gifts and foreign currency had arrived in her name. However, he explained that the package was being held back due to pending clearance charges.
What followed was a classic escalation of demands from the fraudsters. They requested payments under various pretexts including:
- Customs duty fees
- Tax clearance charges
- Courier handling expenses
Reassured multiple times by Surendra and believing the story, Anusha transferred over Rs 1.3 lakh through multiple transactions. Her suspicion was only triggered when the callers continued to demand more money. When she questioned Surendra, he urged her to pay, further reinforcing the deception.
Police Intervention and Wider Pattern
Realizing she had been duped, Anusha approached the Bengaluru police. A senior police officer noted that such frauds are commonly reported in the run-up to Valentine's Day or during the week following it.
Similar cases have emerged across major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kochi. Victims are typically lured through matrimonial or dating platforms by profiles claiming to be NRI professionals. The fraudsters use promises of love, marriage, and expensive gifts as bait to exploit emotional vulnerabilities.
Essential Cyber Safety Measures
To protect against such scams, cybercrime police recommend several crucial precautions:
- Verify identities thoroughly through video calls and independent background checks before trusting online connections.
- Check directly with official courier or customs websites before paying any fees related to parcel clearance.
- Inform police immediately if you're asked for repeated payments or feel pressured to transfer money.
- Never transfer money to get gifts released from customs or for foreign parcel clearance without verified documentation.
- Don't trust callers claiming to be customs officials without written proof and official verification.
The Bengaluru case serves as a stark reminder that cyber criminals are increasingly exploiting emotional occasions and personal vulnerabilities to execute sophisticated financial frauds. Authorities emphasize the importance of maintaining digital vigilance, especially when engaging with strangers on online platforms during emotionally charged periods like Valentine's Day.
