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Hyderabad, 16 October 2025: A 32-year-old resident of Malakpet fell victim to an elaborate online dating and friendship scam, losing ₹6,49,840.11. The victim, while searching for a potential life partner, clicked on a dating site link and was contacted via WhatsApp on 09 July 2025 by a woman claiming to be Tanya Sharma. She offered to include him in a “friendship group” for a registration fee of ₹1,950.
DCP, Cyber Crimes, Hyderabad, Smt. Dara Kavitha’IPS Said subsequently, the victim was approached by two women, Miss Priti and Miss Ritika, who persuaded him to make multiple payments under various pretexts, including hotel booking, meeting confirmation, service tax, refund processing, account verification, and privacy security. Believing the claims, the victim transferred money to several bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. Later, he realized that the entire operation was a well-organized scam, impersonating representatives of reputed companies, and reported the matter to the Cyber Crime Police Station (CCPS), Hyderabad.
Police Advisory to the Public:
The Cyber Crime Police, Hyderabad, has issued the following precautions to safeguard citizens from similar scams:
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Be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages on WhatsApp, social media, or dating platforms offering friendship or marriage opportunities.
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Never pay registration fees, advance amounts, or “refundable charges” for meetings, memberships, or verification processes.
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Verify the identity of any person or organization before sharing personal or financial information.
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Avoid transferring money to unknown accounts or individuals claiming to provide refunds or high returns.
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Legitimate dating or matrimonial services do not demand multiple payments under different pretexts.
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Consult family or friends before making financial decisions based on online interactions.
Victim Support:
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Dial 1930 or visit cybercrime.gov.in for reporting cyber fraud.
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For emergencies, contact or WhatsApp: 8712665171.
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Follow updates on cyber awareness:
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Email: cybercrimespshyd@gmail.com
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Facebook: facebook.com/cybercrimepolice.gov.in
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Instagram: instagram.com/cybercrimepshyd
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X (Twitter): x.com/CyberCrimeshyd’(pressmediaofindia.com)
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