Dating App Scam in Noida: Engineer Loses ₹66 Lakh in a Two-Year ‘Love Game’
With the rise of online dating platforms, cases of cyber fraud through dating apps are increasing rapidly across India. Scammers are creating fake profiles, building emotional connections, and then using fabricated stories to swindle unsuspecting victims. The latest case from Noida exposes how an engineer fell prey to such a love scam and lost over ₹66 lakh in a span of two years.
The Love Trap: From Tinder Match to Financial Disaster
According to police reports, a software engineer living in Noida Sector 62 became the victim of a major cyber fraud. The incident began in 2023 when he received a friend request on Tinder from a woman using the profile name ‘Shubhangi Mauti’. After accepting the request, the two started chatting regularly.
Over time, the woman allegedly built an emotional relationship with the victim, eventually gaining his trust. What began as casual conversation soon turned into a manipulative relationship where she started asking for money under various pretenses — citing health emergencies, accidents, and other fabricated personal crises.
Between June 2023 and February 2025, the victim transferred money 294 times, amounting to a total of ₹66.22 lakh. After the scammer vanished and communication stopped, the victim realized he had been deceived. The police have now launched an investigation into the matter.
How Dating App Scams Operate
Fraudsters on dating apps typically follow a specific pattern:
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They create fake profiles using attractive photos and false identities.
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They engage in long conversations, often over weeks or months, to build emotional trust.
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Once the victim is emotionally attached, scammers introduce fake emergencies — such as sudden illness, a family tragedy, or being stranded abroad — and request financial help.
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They often avoid video calls or in-person meetings, citing personal reasons.
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As soon as they receive the money, they delete chats, block numbers, and disappear from the app.
Such scams prey on human emotions — sympathy, love, and the desire to help — making them especially effective.
How to Protect Yourself from Dating App Frauds
Experts and cybercrime officials suggest following a few safety measures to avoid falling victim to such scams:
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Don’t trust too quickly: Never share personal or financial information with someone you’ve only met online.
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Verify profiles: Use reverse image search or cross-check their name and details on social media to verify authenticity.
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Avoid sending money: No genuine person you’ve just met online should ask for money — even in emergencies.
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Insist on video calls: If the person constantly avoids video interactions, it’s a major red flag.
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Protect your privacy: Never share sensitive information such as your address, bank details, or OTPs.
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Report suspicious profiles: Most dating apps have built-in report and block features — use them immediately if someone seems suspicious.
Rising Trend of “Love Frauds” in India
Cases like this one in Noida are not isolated. Cyber experts say that with the growing use of dating and social networking apps, love scams have become a multi-crore racket. Fraudsters often operate from organized groups using fake identities and social engineering tactics to manipulate victims.
Police officials have urged users to exercise caution and immediately report any such incidents to the Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) or visit the portal www.cybercrime.gov.in to file complaints.
The Noida case once again highlights the dark side of online relationships — proving that digital love can sometimes come with a heavy price tag.
