Victim met scammer on Bumble; chats moved to WhatsApp and video calls.
Fake crypto group on Telegram showed false profits to gain trust.
Rs 73 lakh lost; police urge caution against financial talks on dating apps.
A Gurugram-based professional fell victim to a massive Rs 73 lakh dating app scam after befriending a woman on Bumble, exposing how scammers are weaponising online trust to run sophisticated investment frauds. The 50-year-old man, employed at a multinational firm, was lured into what seemed like a genuine romantic connection, which turned into an online investment scam.
SurveyAccording to reports, the two met on Bumble in early August and soon shifted their chats to WhatsApp and video calls. The woman, posing as a financial expert, started sharing tips on high-return crypto and stock investments. To make her claims more believable, she added the victim to a Telegram group filled with fake investors posting screenshots of their “profits.”
At first, everything appeared legitimate; the victim even saw small returns credited to his fake trading account. Encouraged, he invested more, transferring nearly Rs 73 lakh in multiple instalments over the next few weeks. The scam only got revealed when he tried to withdraw his earnings. He was told to pay a 25% “release fee.” When he refused, the woman blocked him, the Telegram group vanished, and his money was gone.
The victim then filed a complaint with the Gurugram Cyber Crime Police, who have now launched an investigation.
Such scams are rapidly evolving, merging emotional manipulation with investment fraud. Instead of targeting victims through phishing or random calls, scammers now use dating apps to build trust first
Users are recommended to stay alert on dating apps and never discuss financial matters with new acquaintances. Avoid sharing personal or financial details, verify any investment platforms independently, and be sceptical of “too good to be true” returns.
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Himani Jha
Himani Jha is a tech news writer at Digit. Passionate about smartphones and consumer technology, she has contributed to leading publications such as Times Network, Gadgets 360, and Hindustan Times Tech for the past five years. When not immersed in gadgets, she enjoys exploring the vibrant culinary scene, discovering new cafes and restaurants, and indulging in her love for fine literature and timeless music. View Full Profile
