Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Woman Loses Rs 24 Lakh in Romance-Based Cyber Fraud
A woman in Maharashtra was contacted online by someone who pretended to be her romantic partner.
The person said he had travelled from the UK to meet her.
He then claimed that airport customs officials had stopped him.
He asked her to pay security and clearance charges.
She sent money several times through online transfers.
Altogether, she sent more than Rs 24 lakh.
She later discovered that the relationship and emergency were allegedly part of a scam.
Police are investigating and trying to find the person and the bank accounts used.
Police in Thane registered a case against an unidentified cyber fraudster accused of targeting a 27-year-old woman.
The suspect allegedly met the woman through a social messaging application and expressed romantic interest.
The fraudster claimed he had arrived from the UK at Delhi airport but was detained by customs officials.
The woman made several online transfers for alleged security charges and clearance fees between August 8 and 14.
She transferred Rs 24,51,650 before realising the deception; police are tracing the bank accounts involved.
- Who
- A 27-year-old woman from Chandanbagh in Bhiwandi and an unidentified cyber fraudster.
- What
- The woman was allegedly defrauded of Rs 24,51,650 through a fake romantic relationship and requests for fees.
- When
- The transfers took place between August 8 and 14; police registered the case by August 19.
- Where
- The case was registered in Thane, Maharashtra; the suspect claimed to be detained at Delhi airport.
- Why
- The suspect allegedly sought money for supposed security charges and clearance fees after claiming customs officials had detained him.
- Amount lost
- Rs 24,51,650
- Victim
- 27-year-old woman
- Contact platform
- Transfer period
- August 8 to 14
- Police location
- Thane, Maharashtra
- Reported pretext
- Security charges and clearance fees
- Legal provisions
- Sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, 2000