A 32-year-old software professional from Hyderabad has become the latest victim of a sophisticated cryptocurrency investment fraud, losing a staggering sum of over ₹12 lakh. The elaborate scam was orchestrated by a fraudster who first made contact with the victim through a popular matrimony application.
The Deceptive Connection on a Matrimony Platform
The incident began on July 9, when the victim, a resident of Jodimetla in Hyderabad, started interacting with an individual on a matrimony app. The person identified herself as A Amrutha Reddy, claiming to be a financial analyst based in the United Kingdom. Over several weeks of regular chatting, the fraudster successfully built a rapport and gained the software employee's trust.
Once confidence was established, the scammer introduced the idea of trading in cryptocurrency. She directed the victim to a website named 'thexglobaltrx.net' and provided step-by-step instructions on how to invest. The victim also received messages from what appeared to be the platform's customer support, adding a layer of legitimacy to the operation.
The Financial Drain: Multiple Transactions Lead to Massive Loss
Acting on the instructions, the victim began transferring funds. Between June 16 and June 26, he conducted a total of 10 transactions, sending money to multiple bank accounts. In addition to the direct bank transfers, he also sent USDT (a type of cryptocurrency) to the fraudster. The cumulative value of all these transfers amounted to a massive ₹13.6 lakh.
In a classic scammer tactic to build false confidence, the victim was initially allowed to withdraw ₹1 lakh from the platform. However, the situation turned suspicious on June 28, when his bank informed him that this very ₹1 lakh in his account had been placed under a lien on instructions from the police. When the victim confronted the individual posing as Amrutha Reddy, he received only vague and evasive replies.
The Vanishing Act and Eventual Police Complaint
Alarmed by the bank's lien and the fraudster's dodgy responses, the victim tried to withdraw his entire remaining investment. It was then that he discovered the cruel reality of the scam. "The platform suddenly became inaccessible, and I could not withdraw any more," the victim recounted. Despite this major red flag, he did not approach the police immediately.
The case took another turn on December 11, when his bank again notified him that ₹1 lakh had been frozen under lien, this time on the instructions of a different police unit. This repeated action prompted the victim to consult with his family and bank officials. Finally, on Friday, he formally approached the Rachakonda police to file a complaint.
Based on his complaint, the police have registered a case under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. The investigation is now underway to track down the perpetrators behind this well-planned cyber fraud.
This case highlights the growing trend of scammers using social engineering on dating and matrimony platforms to lure victims into financial traps. Experts advise extreme caution when approached for investment opportunities by strangers online, especially in the volatile and largely unregulated realm of cryptocurrency.
