In a shocking case of betrayal, a man from Sabarkantha district in Gujarat allegedly exploited his friend's deepest desire for matrimony by orchestrating an elaborate online catfishing scam. The fraud, which lasted two years, siphoned off approximately Rs 5 lakh from the victim before the truth was uncovered.
The Elaborate Deception
The story began when the 35-year-old complainant, a bachelor from Sabarkantha who had recently gone through a breakup, was introduced by his friend to a woman named "Kinjal Patel" online. Aware of his friend's prolonged and frantic search for a bride, the accused, identified as Ankush Patel, presented this fabricated profile as a potential match.
The victim and "Kinjal" started regular conversations on WhatsApp. The fake profile shared photographs and even conveyed that the woman's family had approved of the alliance. Building on this trust, the person behind the profile began requesting money for various personal and family needs. Over a span of two years, believing marriage was imminent, the complainant transferred a total of around Rs 5 lakh to the beneficiary account.
The Unraveling of the Scam
Despite numerous requests, "Kinjal" consistently avoided meeting in person, citing health and other issues. The scam finally collapsed when the victim checked his bank transaction statements closely. To his horror, he discovered that the beneficiary's name matched that of his friend's father.
Confronted with this evidence, Ankush Patel allegedly confessed to posing as the woman. Police investigations revealed that the accused, who is also a bachelor, was under significant financial stress. He reportedly used the stolen money to repay personal debts.
A Pattern of Betrayal
Further probe uncovered a disturbing pattern. Police stated that at least 10 of the accused's friends had been cheated in a similar manner. The modus operandi involved luring single friends with marriage proposals using fake female profiles on social media and messaging platforms. The financial losses for other victims ranged from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 4 lakh.
Officers revealed an ironic twist to the tale. A couple of years prior, Ankush Patel himself had been in a relationship and spent large sums on marriage plans and buying a house. When that relationship failed, the financial loss and disappointment apparently triggered his plan to cheat his own friends.
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
The Sabarkantha victim first approached the cyber helpline before filing a formal complaint with the regional cybercrime police. An FIR has been registered under sections related to cheating, and relevant provisions of the IT Act have also been invoked.
While the accused returned Rs 1 lakh in instalments after being confronted, he has failed to repay the remaining Rs 4 lakh despite repeated demands. Police are currently examining digital evidence, bank transaction records, and social media accounts to identify other potential victims and trace the total amount of money involved in this web of deception.
This case serves as a stark reminder of how cybercriminals often exploit emotional vulnerabilities and the trust of those closest to their victims.
