Chennai doctor loses Rs 3 lakh in matrimony fraud

Operating from Delhi, the accused made a fake profile and collected a huge amount of money from the prospective bride. The city police launched a thorough search following a complaint from the doctor living in Perambur in July. Soon, Cyber Crime Wing unearthed the matrimony fraud and arrested two Nigerian nationals based in Delhi.

As per a recent media report, the doctor posted her profile on a matrimony site, and the accused contacted her posing as Mohammed Saleem, a doctor from the Netherlands. He informed the doctor that he had sent her a gift and subsequently, a woman from Mumbai contacted the doctor stating that she needed to pay Rs 28,000 as charges to receive the parcel sent by the imposter.

The Hindu reports, convinced by her words, the doctor transferred the amount online, but the woman again demanded Rs 77,000 as a penalty because the parcel contained foreign currency. The police stated that the doctor made the payments but she again demanded Rs 1 lakh. This time she reasoned that she needed to convert the Euro into Indian rupee and then again claimed another Rs 95,000 for upgrading the bank account.

However, when the doctor refused to pay any more money, a man who claimed to be the brother of Mohammed Saleem, called her and threatened her that if she refuses to pay, she would face legal action as his brother had attempted to end his life. Hence, she transferred the money. The complainant alleged that the person posing as Mohammed Saleem again contacted her after a few days and secured more money on the pretext of paying late fees for the parcel and other flimsy reasons.

After a few days, he again told the doctor that she needed to buy his flight tickets as he wanted to travel to India. When she disagreed, he rebuked her and blocked her on WhatsApp. Later, he again unblocked her number and asked her to pay for his airfare by pledging her jewellry. She eventually arranged the money, and he informed her that he visit India on July 17.

On July 17, the previous woman again contacted the complainant and informed her that Saleem had arrived at the New Delhi airport but it would take Rs 1.35 lakh to allow him to enter India since he did not have a PIO (Person of Indian Origin) card. Moreover, if the amount was not paid, he had to be under the custody of the airport officials. However, the doctor became suspicious and asked the woman to send the location, but she blocked her. Understanding she had been duped, the doctor lodged a complaint with the police.

After the investigation, it came to light that a gang of Nigerians operating from Delhi might be involved in the fraud. A special team nabbed two persons from Uttam Nagar in connection with the case. The police seized mobile phones, laptops, debit cards and Rs 4.3 lakh from them. They were brought to Chennai and remanded in judicial custody.

The police urged the public to verify profiles and photographs posted on matrimony sites before believing them.

Commissioner of Police Shankar Jiwal said people should be cautious before making any payment without seeing the person or without making a thorough enquiry. "They should be extra cautious and should not fall prey to the allurement of gift parcels", he said.