Hyderabad Police Dismantle Matrimony Platform Scam Targeting Investment Victims

Hyderabad's Cyber Crime Police have cracked a significant matrimony-based investment fraud racket, leading to the arrest of four suspects accused of channelling stolen funds through illicit banking networks to international cybercriminals.

The case centred on a victim who was contacted by fraudsters operating under a fake identity on the Sangam Matrimony platform. The perpetrators established a romantic rapport with the target, dangling marriage prospects while simultaneously steering him toward an investment scheme promising exceptional returns.

Trusting these representations, the victim deposited ₹46.65 lakh across various bank accounts. His attempts to retrieve the funds proved futile when the scammers demanded further payments before severing all contact.

The four arrested individuals have been identified as Chokkala Sampath from Siddipet, Hechu Naresh from Secunderabad, Endla Suresh, and Vadkala Mahesh. Their role involved operating and managing mule accounts—bank accounts used to receive and redistribute illicit funds on behalf of senior operators.

Investigators traced the money's path through accounts held at Indian Overseas Bank, with approximately ₹35 lakh passing through these intermediaries before allegedly reaching Singapore-based fraudsters via hawala networks. The operation spanned multiple states, with mule accounts identified in both Telangana and Maharashtra.

The investigation, conducted under the supervision of ACP Siva Maruthi with Inspector K.M. Raghavendra leading the Cyber Crime Police team, resulted in the seizure of one mobile phone. Police recovered evidence of how the accused systematically withdrew funds and transferred them to higher-level handlers orchestrating the scheme.

In response, law enforcement has issued a cautionary advisory for the public. Authorities recommend exercising heightened vigilance when encountering unfamiliar individuals on social media platforms, matrimonial websites, or messaging services who propose romantic relationships, financial opportunities, or income-generating tasks. Citizens are urged to independently verify such offers before making any monetary transfers.