BENGALURU: A seemingly genuine connection on a dating app turned into a costly deception, with a 29-year-old software engineer losing Rs 18.7 lakh and was left emotionally devastated. Advik (name changed), a resident of New Thippasandra, in his complaint with East Cyber Crime police, stated that it all began on Nov 4, 2025, when he connected with a woman on dating app Flutrr. She introduced herself as Anjali Kushlani from Mumbai. After a few days, they moved to WhatsApp, speaking daily and building what appeared to be a serious relationship. After two weeks, he assumed that she was rich from her conversations and the photos she sent him. Advik told her he was from a poor family and lived in a slum area. Gaining his trust with reassurances about his modest background, the woman promised to support his growth in future. “I only want a good man,” she told him. The conversation soon shifted to online trading. Despite Advik’s initial reluctance, as he had already taken a loan to construct his house, she persuaded him to invest a small amount, assuring him of guidance. Following her instructions, he joined a Telegram channel linked to a trading platform and made his first deposit of Rs 40,000 on Nov 28. Early transactions showed small profits, even allowing a withdrawal of $100 (Rs 8,000), which further strengthened his trust. Anjali then shared another trading link with him on WhatsApp. Encouraged to invest more, Advik began borrowing money from friends, eventually depositing Rs 5.6 lakh by Dec 25. He insisted that Anjali meet him; she promised to do so on his birthday. Advik lost his younger brother on Jan 14 this year. The fraud took a darker turn when he was unable to withdraw funds, with the platform citing trading conditions and telling him that he did not have Rs 10,000 profit or loss. Anjali suggested that he carry out a couple of more trades, after which he could withdraw the money. He was emotionally vulnerable, and she maintained contact without asking him to invest more, expressing concern and deepening his trust. In Feb, she intensified pressure, weaving promises of marriage and citing her “wealthy family expectations” to push him into investing larger sums, stating that they would need at least Rs 4 crore for marriage. Under constant persuasion, he took a loan and added Rs 10 lakh, followed by additional deposits, while she appeared to “match” his contributions by adding Rs 5 lakh to maintain credibility. He again invested Rs 3.1 lakh; in total, he invested Rs 18.7 lakh. By mid-March, the trading account reflected activity and profits. But on March 21, communication abruptly stopped. Calls went unanswered, and messages were undelivered. When Anjali resurfaced briefly, she claimed her house had been raided by the Enforcement Directorate and demanded an additional $1,000. By then, Advik realised he had been duped. A case has been registered under Information Technology Act and BNS Section 318 (cheating).
