Rising online dating scams in India lead to INR 2 billion loss: NCBR
In 2023 alone, financial losses due to the dating scams exceeded INR 2 billion
When Aqsa Shabir, a 29-year-old IT professional, working in Bengaluru, was looking for some companionship, she signed on a popular dating site, Tinder, encouraged by stories of how people in this age and day end up finding love digitally.
Shabir’s introduction to online dating was filled with hope. After years of being busy with her career, she decided to give dating apps a chance.
“I had never really tried online dating before, but after some encouragement from friends, I decided to give it a shot. It wasn’t long before I matched with a man who introduced himself as ‘Raj,’ army officer stationed abroad,” Shabir tells Media India Group.
Their conversations were filled with witty exchanges, deep talks, and a growing sense of intimacy. Raj, according to his profile, was well-travelled, well-spoken, and seemed perfect for Shabir.
“He was everything I was looking for kind, intelligent, and we had so much in common. He told me he had been in the army for years and was planning to visit India soon. We talked about our future, and he made me feel special,” Shabir adds
As their conversations deepened, Raj began to share more personal stories. He told Shabir that he was facing financial difficulties due to an unexpected medical emergency while abroad and needed her help to cover some urgent expenses.
“At first, I was hesitant. But Raj was convincing. He seemed so genuine. He said that he couldn’t turn to anyone else and that he trusted me. But what started as a small request for money turned into a series of escalating demands. Raj claimed he needed funds to cover medical bills, passport issues, and travel expenses,” she adds.
Believing their connection was real, Shabir sent him money, thinking she was helping someone she cared about. When the requests continued, each one more urgent than the last, she ended up giving more money.
“I wanted to help him get through a tough time, and I thought I was doing the right thing,” she recalls.
But as the months passed and Shabir continued to send money amounting to over INR 540,000 something felt off. Raj’s messages became more infrequent, and then, one day, he stopped replying altogether.
“I tried reaching out, but he never responded. That is when it hit me I had been scammed,” Shabir says, her voice filled with regret and disbelief.
“I could not believe it. I had fallen for someone who didn’t even exist,” she adds.
Shabir’s story is far from unique. As online dating platforms gain popularity in India, dating scams are becoming an ever-growing problem.
According to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, as many as 1,556,218 complaints of online dating fraud were registered in 2023 alone. These scams not only cause financial devastation but also leave victims with emotional scars. For Shabir, the pain wasn’t just about the money, it was more about the betrayal.
“I felt foolish. I couldn’t believe that someone could manipulate my feelings so easily. I had trusted him with my emotions, and in return, I lost so much. It wasn’t just about the money it was the feeling of being completely taken advantage of,” Shabir adds.
According to NCRB data for 2022, dating scams have surged by over 24 pc. In 2023 alone, financial losses due to the dating scams exceeded INR 2 billion.
But it is not just the women who fall prey to these scams. Men, too, have been victims to such frauds. Vikram Mehta, a 26-year-old marketing executive from Delhi, recounts how his experience on a popular dating app turned into a nightmare. After connecting with a woman named ‘Neha,’ they exchanged numbers and agreed to meet for a date. However, what started as a promising evening soon escalated into a shocking experience.
“I met Neha on a dating app, and we seemed to hit it off instantly. After chatting for a while, we decided to meet in person. She suggested a high-end restaurant, and I didn’t think much of it. We went, and she ordered a few dishes nothing too fancy. The food didn’t seem overly expensive, but when the bill came, I was shocked. It was INR 39,000! I couldn’t believe it how could it be this much? The manager came over and explained that it was due to a special reservation and the time we spent at the table. He said the duration of our meal and the type of reservation made the cost so high,” Mehta tells Media India Group.
“I felt uncomfortable but paid the bill, trying to be polite. Later, I found out the truth, it was all a scam. The girl and the manager were in on it together. They had done this to several others. I learned about it from a colleague who had the same experience at the same place with another woman. It was a planned setup, and I was just another victim. I felt humiliated and deceived. To make matters worse, after that night, Neha completely ghosted me. I never heard from her again. It was a huge blow, not just financially, but emotionally as well,” Mehta adds.
While financial fraud remains a significant concern on dating apps, a new type of scam is also emerging, adding a layer of complexity to the dangers of online dating. Fraudsters are now using stolen photos of real people to create fake profiles and lure unsuspecting users. These scammers often build a rapport with their targets, only to eventually ask for expensive gifts or money. The victims, thinking they are sending gifts to someone they have developed a connection with, are left shocked when they realise they have been scammed. The perpetrators rarely meet in person, relying solely on their fake personas to manipulate others.
Arjun, a 26-year-old student from Jammu, had been using a dating app for a few months when he came across a profile that seemed too good to be true. The woman, ‘Simran,’ was beautiful and her messages were warm and engaging. After weeks of chatting, Simran hinted that she was feeling a bit lonely and that she loved surprises.
“She kept telling me how much she enjoyed the little things in life, and how a thoughtful gift would mean a lot to her. Eventually, she told me that she had always wanted a designer handbag but couldn’t afford it. I thought it would be a nice gesture, so I sent her one. The conversation seemed normal—she was sweet and thankful,” Arjun recalls.
However, after he had sent the gift, Arjun noticed that Simran became distant.
“She stopped replying to my messages, and then I realised something was off. I did some digging and found out that the photos she had used weren’t hers. They were stolen from an Instagram profile. I felt stupid for not recognising the signs earlier,” Arjun tells Media India Group.
Arjun’s experience is not unique. Scammers using fake profiles to manipulate people into sending gifts or money have become increasingly common. According to a report from the Cyber Crime Unit of Mumbai Police, cases of ‘gift frauds’ on dating platforms have risen by 25 pc in the last year. Many victims, like Arjun, are left with nothing but a feeling of betrayal.
“The worst part was realising I was just a target for them to get gifts. It was a scam, and I was just another victim,” Arjun adds. “It made me feel foolish, but it also opened my eyes to how dangerous online dating can be. You think you are building a genuine connection, but all they want is your money.”
Scammers and catfishers are increasingly leveraging also AI to create fake profiles and manipulate unsuspecting individuals searching for genuine connections. India is particularly grappling with this issue, as highlighted in Modern Love, the latest report by McAfee, an online security platform.
The report, based on a survey of 7,000 participants across seven nations, including a significant focus on India, exposes the growing threat of AI-driven scams in digital romance. An alarming 77 pc of Indian respondents reported encountering AI-generated fake profiles or photos on dating platforms and social media. Even more concerning, 39 pc admitted to falling victim to scams orchestrated by fraudsters posing as potential romantic interests, while 26 pc unknowingly interacted with AI-generated bots.
For many, these interactions blur the line between technology’s ability to foster connections and its exploitation for fraudulent purposes. Humaira Lone, a 26-year-old graphic designer from Kashmir, says she encountered what she thought was her perfect match on a dating app.
“He was articulate, charming, and seemed to know exactly what to say. But something felt off his photos looked overly polished, almost too perfect. I ignored it at first, thinking he was just photogenic. After weeks of chatting, he started asking for financial help, claiming to be stuck somewhere. That is when I started digging and realised the profile was AI-generated. It was devastating to learn I had been speaking to a scammer all along,” Lone tells Media India Group.
Lone’s experience mirrors the findings of the McAfee report, emphasising the need for increased awareness and vigilance in the digital dating landscape. As AI continues to reshape online interactions, users must remain cautious and question profiles or behaviours that seem too good to be true.
In response to the growing prevalence of scams, dating apps like Bumble have implemented enhanced security features to protect their users. These include profile verification tools, AI-powered detection of fake accounts, and options to report suspicious activity. Platforms are also increasing awareness through in-app safety tips, encouraging users to be cautious while sharing personal information or engaging with profiles that seem too good to be true.
