Online matrimonial frauds is on the rise these days, posing a huge threat to individuals looking for a partner through online platforms. Fraudsters take benefit of the vulnerabilities of unknowing people, causing them financial loss, emotional distress, and potential harm.

Over two decades, online matrimonial sites have gained popularity in India where most marriages are still arranged by parents. The whole traditional matchmaking process changed and was set aside when the wave of online matrimonies came into existence. For Indian bachelors looking to explore and find a lifelong partner, online matrimonial sites offer the right fusion of modern technology and traditional Indian traditions.  This increased demand for online services that run searchable databases of marriage-related content, such as Shaadi.com, Jeevansathi.com, and Matrimony.com Ltd.  But, matrimonial sites are not completely safe. There is a possibility that you will regret not taking certain precautions. The number of people falling for marriage website scams has gone up.

Dangers

• Financial Loss
• Emotional Manipulation:
• Identity Theft:
• Blackmail and Extortion:

Vulnerable Groups:

People Looking for Companionship:

People who are searching for a relationship or who are emotionally fragile may be more prone to falling for fraudulent schemes and scams.

Elderly People:

Due to their possible substantial financial holdings and low understanding of contemporary technology, the elderly are frequently targeted since they may be more trusting and less accustomed to internet platforms.

The present scenario

Online matrimonial frauds Matrimonial sites come under ‘intermediaries’ within the IT Act 2000. They are responsible for the frauds that are perpetrated through their sites. Matrimonial sites. However these websites do not have any stringent KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures in place and hence readily accept documents/facts provided by fake profiles, which results in fraud being committed. With the increase in frauds through matrimonial sites, Cyber Law Due Diligence becomes a very important way to put an end to the use of matrimonial and dating sites as means of deception and fraud.

The Information Technology Act, of 2000 is the Cyber Law of India that mandates observance of Cyber Law Due Diligence and Internet Intermediary Obligations in India. Cyber Law Due Diligence means taking proper and Reasonable Care and Caution while dealing with Online/Technological Transactions and Activities.

Modus operandi

With the minimal KYC/verification procedures in place to register on online matrimonial websites, the fraudster usually follows the following modus operandi:

• The fraudster initially creates a fake profile with attractive descriptions. In most cases, the person seems to be settled or working abroad, thus making actual meetings difficult.
• Later they look for gullible profiles to fall into their trick. In most cases, the targets are widows or divorced while some are elderly women looking for life partners. Also, they look for targets who are economically sound.
• Later, phone numbers, and email addresses are shared to increase personal communication and gain trust. Once the communication is established the fraudsters delete the profiles on the online matrimonial website and only communicate through phones, emails, or phone messengers.
• After gaining trust, money is demanded on various pretexts like customs clearance of costly gifts or as conversion charges for foreign currency, government clearance for diamonds, gold, or inherited wealth. All this money is asked as an online transfer and the person never meets the victim.
• Once they receive the money they never respond to the victim which makes it difficult to trace.

Warning Signs

Be alert to the red flags that can help you identify online matrimonial fraudsters:

• Are not willing to show their face and avoid face-to-face meetings, they are also reluctant to come on video chat, profile photo may not be theirs.
• Ask for a money transfer, citing some emergency, initially a small sum and later a large amount
• May not have a social profile or have few friends on social media
• Hesitate to share family/ workplace details
• Express “love” too quickly even before fully understanding each other
• The profile looks too good to be true for that person to express interest to you
• They call from multiple numbers. They usually don’t give a number to call back. Even if they give you a number, they don’t pick up when you call. Later, they call you back from a new number
• It sounds inconsistent or confusing when you ask for personal details, and their information is marked with inconsistencies.
• Are you in a mad rush for early marriage, without a valid reason
• Request for deletion of your profile immediately after getting in touch with you
• Ask for email username/ password or credit card/ bank account details
• Come up with false stories to gain sympathy

How to save yourself

1. Explore the various available online matrimonial websites

Do a good Google search about the available Online matrimonial frauds platforms. Check for reviews from registered users and find a suitable one. Also, most matrimonial websites add a verified batch of profiles that are checked by their team. If you see a verified batch, you can go forward with the person without thinking much.

Check out how genuine the website is before you register. Make sure the site has good reviews from registered members.

2. Do a profile check.

While you rely on online ways to find your life partner you must take this responsibility and do a thorough profile check. Check every detail carefully. Do a proper check on current and permanent address, education workplace etc. At any point you think there is a mismatch, feel free to question the other person.

Once you decide to go ahead, find out whether details given about the individual’s qualification, job, family background and such details are indeed true to avoid regrets at a later stage.

Verify the details mentioned in the profile you are interested in, and do a profile check on social media platforms for further information about the person. If you do not find details on any social media, it is a red flag

3. Slow and steady wins the race

Marriage is a lifetime decision and you cannot take a chance here. Life is not a race, ensure you take things slow. If you feel the other person is forcing you to take things forward quickly, be stern to take a back step.

Do not share any personal or revealing photographs or videos

4. Never indulge in the money business

Online matrimonial frauds are work in this site No genuine person would ask you to lend money at an early stage of a relationship. It is better to get into any financial transactions unless you are double sure.

If the person demands money or property citing various reasons, report to the site

5. Meet personally before you take a step forward

If after chatting online matrimonial frauds and over the phone for a while, you feel comfortable enough to meet them, go for it. Even if you have your trust in them, set up a meeting at a restaurant or coffee shop along with your family members or close friends.

Hypothetical cases

Case 1:

A 40-year-old woman was duped of Rs74 lakh through online matrimonial frauds where the fraudster sent her a request on a popular Indian Online matrimonial frauds site posing as a UK national of Indian origin. After proposing to marry her, he said he would be coming to Mumbai to meet her. However, she got a call from the fraudster, who told her that he was stuck at the Delhi Airport. A woman then came on the phone and posed as a customs official and said that they had detained him for carrying excess US dollars. The woman demanded money for his bail. The victim did not realise that she was being conned and ended up paying Rs74 lakh. The man then cut off all communication with her, after which she realized that she had been duped. A case has been registered and an FIR has been registered in this regard.

Case 2:

Woman creates fake profile on Online matrimonial frauds site, cheats Mumbai man of Rs23 lakh

A senior corporate professional was allegedly duped of ₹23.44 lakh by a woman he met through a Online matrimonial frauds website on the pretext of paying for her father’s medical treatment.

The 31-year-old complainant came across the woman’s profile last year and sent her a request. She shared her mobile phone number and the two started texting and eventually calling each other. The complainant had asked the woman to meet him at least once, but she kept refusing to do so. According to the police, the complainant and woman agreed to meet each other on her birthday and she made him buy an iPhone. However, on her birthday, the woman cancelled the meeting, saying her father had been admitted to hospital. The woman got her mother, sister and father to request the complainant on the phone for Online matrimonial frauds , which convinced him to send money online.

Citing her father’s treatment, the woman took a total of ₹23.44 lakh, which includes the cost of the iPhone, through multiple transactions. While the complainant insisted on meeting the woman, the woman kept refusing initially later when the man threatened to file a complaint for Online matrimonial frauds. She met him and to his surprise, she was not as good-looking as shown in the online profile picture. The woman admitted to posting phoney pictures in an attempt to entice a donor to cover her father’s medical expenses.

Finding a life partner is not easy. It might take time to meet the one you are waiting for. But, do not let yourself in any kind of pit just because things are not going right. The key to finding love and happiness online is to ‘Stay alert’.