Dating App Fraud in West Bengal — How to Identify & Stay Safe

INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team · Updated May 27, 2026

Severity: HIGH | View Full Scam Details

Beware of Dating App Fraud in West Bengal in 2026: How Scammers Trap You on Tinder, Bumble & Matrimonial Sites

Dating app fraud in West Bengal is a rising cybercrime threat in India, with victims losing crores to fake online relationships.

What Is the Dating App Fraud in West Bengal?

Dating app fraud is a type of phishing scam where fraudsters create fake profiles on popular dating and matrimonial platforms like Tinder, Bumble, and Shaadi.com to deceive users. These scammers mostly target women seeking companionship or marriage, tapping into their emotional vulnerability. Instead of genuine conversations, these profiles are traps set to build trust and extract money under false pretenses.

This scam has become widespread in India, with West Bengal witnessing a surge in incidents. One recent case uncovered a man allegedly defrauding over 500 women, accumulating nearly ₹2 crore over time. The cybercrime cells in Kolkata and I4C (Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre) highlight that such scams exploit the emotional angle, making victims less cautious about financial requests.

While platforms try to vet profiles, scammers frequently use stolen or AI-generated photos and elaborate stories to appear authentic. CERT-In and the RBI have issued advisories warning users to be wary of such frauds, especially on apps where users share sensitive details and contact information, increasing the risk of identity theft or financial loss.

How This Scam Works — Step by Step

1. Fake Profile Creation: The scammer sets up a fake profile using attractive pictures and a convincing personal story, often stolen from real people or AI-generated.

2. Initial Contact: They swipe right or send connection requests to women on dating apps. Once matched, the conversation starts friendly and casual.

3. Building Trust: Over days or weeks, the scammer escalates interaction via the app’s chat and then moves to WhatsApp or phone calls, sharing personal stories to build emotional bonds.

4. Emotional Manipulation: The scammer may discuss plans for a future relationship or marriage, deepening victim’s trust and lowering their guard.

5. Financial Requests: When the victim is emotionally hooked, the scammer introduces emergencies like medical bills, travel expenses, or urgent business needs requiring money. They ask for funds via UPI, bank transfers, or mobile wallets.

6. Money Theft: Victims send money, often repeatedly, under various pretexts. Scammers might use fake payment pages or spoofed UPI IDs to divert funds.

7. Cutting Contact: Once enough money is obtained, or if the victim gets suspicious, the scammer blocks and disappears, leaving victims financially and emotionally shattered.

Real Warning Signs to Watch For

• Profile pictures seem too perfect or appear on reverse image search as from different sources.
• Refusal to meet in person or video call, or constant delays in arranging a face-to-face meeting.
• Quick shift from app conversations to WhatsApp or phone calls.
• Stories that evoke sympathy like family emergencies or urgent business hurdles.
• Requests for money transfers, especially before meeting or for unclear reasons.
• Pressure tactics to send money fast, sometimes threatening emotional consequences.
• UPI payment IDs that don’t match the scammer’s stated name or unverified QR codes.

What Happens to Victims

Victims suffer heavy financial losses, often amounting to lakhs or even crores, depending on the scammer’s reach. Many use UPI transfers, which are instant and non-reversible, making recovery difficult. Some victims find their Aadhaar and bank details compromised, enabling identity theft or unauthorized SIM swaps to access their accounts. Beyond money, the emotional trauma affects victims deeply, leading to loss of trust and mental stress.

Victims often hesitate to report due to stigma around failed relationships or fear of social judgment, allowing scammers to operate with impunity. The impact on families in smaller towns of West Bengal and elsewhere can be devastating.

What RBI and CERT-In Say

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued warnings about phishing and social engineering scams, highlighting that no legitimate lender or acquaintance will ask for money through unofficial channels. RBI helpline (1800-112-191) offers support for victims of financial frauds involving UPI or bank transfers.

CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) stresses awareness around fake profiles on social media and dating apps, advising users to verify identities and avoid sharing sensitive details online.

The 1930 cybercrime helpline is available for reporting online fraud, scams, and threats across India. Authorities urge users to report fraud promptly to enable timely investigation and prevent further losses.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Verify Profiles: Use reverse image search tools and check multiple platforms to verify photos and bios before trusting anyone online.

2. Keep Conversations on the App: Avoid moving chats quickly to WhatsApp or phone calls until confident in the person’s authenticity.

3. Never Send Money: Never transfer money to someone you haven’t met in person or deeply vetted, no matter how convincing their story.

4. Cross-check Payment IDs: When asked for UPI or bank details, ensure these match the person’s real identity and beware of QR codes or links sent via chat.

5. Use App Safety Features: Many dating apps have “report” and “block” functions — use them if you suspect any profile.

6. Protect Personal Information: Do not share Aadhaar numbers, bank details, or OTPs under any circumstance during online chats.

7. Educate Yourself: Regularly check alerts on BharatSecure.app and official advisories from RBI and CERT-In.

What to Do If You've Been Targeted

• Immediately Stop Transfers: If you suspect fraud during interaction, cease all money transfers.

• Contact Your Bank: Inform your bank or UPI provider about the fraudulent transactions. Request blocking or freezing of accounts linked to scams.

• Report to Cybercrime: File a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in or call the national 1930 cybercrime helpline.

• Inform Local Police: A First Information Report (FIR) is essential for investigation.

• Protect Your Identity: Change passwords, check for unauthorized SIM swaps, and monitor Aadhaar-related services via UIDAI.

• Seek Support: Emotional distress is common — talk to family, friends, or professional counselors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I get my money back if I send it via UPI to a scammer?
Unfortunately, UPI transactions are instant and mostly irreversible. However, you should immediately report the fraud to your bank and the 1930 cybercrime helpline — authorities may track and recover funds in some cases.

Q: How can I check if a dating app profile is fake?
Look for inconsistencies in photos using reverse image search, suspiciously perfect profiles, lack of willingness for video calls, and rapid requests to move conversations off the app.

Q: Is it safe to meet someone from a dating app in India?
Meeting can be safe if you take precautions: meet in public places, inform a friend or family member, and verify the person’s identity as much as possible before meeting. Avoid sharing personal or financial information before establishing trust.

Stay vigilant and verify suspicious messages at BharatSecure.app to protect yourself and your loved ones from dating app fraud and other cyber scams. Your safety online is our priority!