A 51-year-old Ahmedabad businessman was duped by a fake Canadian woman during a second‑marriage search, losing 1.10 crore rupees in a fabricated pharmaceutical supply deal. Police have opened a cyber fraud case following the disappearance of the scammer.

  • 1.10 crore rupees lost in cyber fraud
  • Fraud involved a fake Canadian chartered accountant
  • Police have registered a cyber fraud case

Ahmedabad businessman, 51, was seeking a second marriage after the death of his first wife and created a profile on a Gujarati matrimonial site.

There he met a woman who claimed to be a Canadian chartered accountant from Nova Medical Labs in Toronto. Gradually she gained his trust and expressed an intent to marry him.

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She then introduced a fabricated pharmaceutical raw‑material deal involving ‘Nadala B Root’, promising huge profits. She connected him with a supposed supplier named Mehrab, linked to Bharti Pharma.

Initially, he purchased Rs 2.50 lakh worth of samples, sold them for Rs 4.50 lakh to the Canadian firm, and was promised a major order. This led him to invest a larger sum.

He raised Rs 1.10 crore from friends and acquaintances, transferring it in 24 transactions to four bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. After the transfer, the woman vanished, her phone was switched off, and she became unreachable.

Realizing he had been duped, he contacted the cyber‑crime helpline and lodged a complaint. The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has registered a case against Smita Shetty, Mehrab, Fred Brandon, and other unidentified persons on charges of cheating and cyber fraud.

Investigators are examining the bank accounts, IP addresses, phone numbers, and other digital evidence to trace the accused.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that such scams exploit personal vulnerabilities and the growing trend of cross‑border matrimonial platforms, turning intimate connections into lucrative fraud opportunities.

This case underscores the growing sophistication of cross‑border matrimonial scams, blending personal vulnerability with business fraud.
Did You Know?: In India, 2024 saw approximately 15 million users on online matrimonial platforms, with over 30% reporting fraud attempts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How can I verify the authenticity of a potential spouse on a matrimonial site?

A1: Request a video call, verify PAN or bank details, and check their social media and third‑party reviews.

Q2: What steps should I take if I suspect I am a victim of cyber fraud?

A2: Immediately inform your bank, call the cybercrime helpline at 155260, and file a complaint with the police.