Bengaluru techie loses ₹79 lakh in online love scam via matrimony site

Bengaluru

It started like a dream — a match on a matrimony site, followed by warm chats, overseas calls, and talk of building a life together. She promised love, partnership, and financial success. But behind the illusion of romance lay a carefully planned con that left a Bengaluru techie devastated and poorer by nearly ₹80 lakh.

A 32-year-old software engineer from Bengaluru has become the latest victim of a disturbing online scam involving love, deceit, and blackmail. The East CEN Crime Police Station has registered a case after the man reported being cheated of ₹79,29,599 by a woman who posed as a potential life partner on a matrimonial platform.

The accused, identified as Gunturi Rohini Varma, daughter of Gunturi Satyanarayana Raju, first contacted the complainant in February 2025 through the online matrimony portal. Using mobile numbers +91 95570 79826 (India) and +44 7563 712982 (UK), she engaged in regular communication and gradually gained the victim’s trust.

Over time, Rohini fabricated a story about a lucrative investment opportunity that would secure their future together. Trusting her intentions, the techie made multiple bank transfers between March and June 2025, believing the funds were part of a mutual financial plan. However, the situation escalated when she demanded more money, claiming earlier payments could not be returned unless additional “charges” were covered. She allegedly used emotional pressure and threats to coerce the victim into paying more.

In total, the man made 18 transactions to 12 different bank accounts, all originating from his ICICI Bank account (A/c No. 414001501741). Only after a suspicious final call on June 19, 2025, at 1:34 PM did he realise he had been conned. The delay in filing the complaint, he said, was due to the emotional shock and the time taken to gather evidence.

The complainant has provided police with extensive documentation, including WhatsApp chat recordings, multiple video files, and details of the suspect’s identity — including her PAN card (BTPPT4056D) and residential address in Narsimhanagar, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (Pincode: 530016). One of the UK numbers she used (+44 7907 448902) was allegedly presented as a customer service contact to reinforce the investment ruse.

Police have registered the FIR under applicable sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and confirmed that the investigation is underway. The techie has urged authorities to take strict legal action and hopes his ordeal serves as a warning to others falling prey to online love scams masked in the language of romance and trust.

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