Bank Employee in Bengaluru Loses ₹34 Lakh in Matrimonial Crypto Scam
A Bengaluru banker lost ₹34 lakh in a crypto scam linked to a fake matrimonial profile and investment trap. Learn how it happened.
In a shocking case of a Matrimonial Crypto Scam blending with online dating, a 33-year-old bank employee from Bengaluru fell prey to a scam after engaging with a potential match on a matrimonial website. —ultimately draining a staggering ₹34 lakh from his account.
How the Scam Unfolded
The bank employee, whose identity remains confidential, was reportedly looking for a life partner on a popular matrimonial site when they came into contact with a woman claiming to be a foreign-educated investment advisor. Over time, they developed regular contact through chat apps and phone calls, gradually building trust.
Once the rapport was established, the scammer introduced the idea of investing in cryptocurrency. She convinced the victim that it was a lucrative opportunity, even offering “guidance” on how to earn quick profits through digital tokens like USDT (Tether) or Bitcoin.
The Fake Investment Platform
The scammer lured the victim into investing through a fake crypto trading platform that looked professional and user-friendly. Initial investments appeared to yield small “profits,” visible on the dashboard—encouraging the victim to invest more.
Believing the returns to be legitimate, the victim transferred larger amounts over multiple transactions. Within a few days, the total investment had crossed ₹34 lakh.
When the victim finally tried to withdraw funds, access was blocked. Support channels vanished, and the website became unresponsive—classic signs of a crypto investment scam.
Scam Trends: Romance Meets Crypto Fraud
This case highlights a growing trend where romance scams and crypto frauds intersect. Cybercriminals are increasingly using emotional manipulation to build trust before introducing financial traps like:
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Fake trading platforms
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Pump-and-dump crypto schemes
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“Pig butchering” scams—where victims are “fattened up” emotionally before being exploited financially.
According to cyber experts, this hybrid form of fraud is on the rise, especially among educated professionals who are both digitally active and financially independent.
Police Investigation Underway
The victim approached Bengaluru Cyber Crime Police, who have initiated an investigation. Authorities are trying to trace the digital wallet addresses used to receive the funds and are working with crypto exchange platforms to identify any links to known scam networks.
Police officials warn that scammers often use foreign exchange wallets, fake IDs, and crypto mixers to launder stolen funds—making the recovery process extremely difficult.
How to Stay Safe from Such Scams
With crypto and online dating both growing rapidly in India, the chances of falling victim to a Matrimonial Crypto Scam or similar blended frauds are steadily increasing. Here are some tips to protect yourself:
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Never trust investment advice from someone you’ve only met online.
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Verify platforms before sending any money—look for licenses, reviews, and domain legitimacy.
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Be cautious when conversations quickly turn toward money or financial advice.
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Use official crypto exchanges and avoid side platforms or third-party wallets shared over messaging apps.
