A cybercrime case has left a Hyderabad youth disillusioned about online matrimony after investigators busted a Rs 25 lakh fraud on Friday. The scam originated from a fraudulent Instagram profile featuring flashy photos and false promises.
Hyderabad’s Cybercrimes squad arrested the main accused, Aneesa Mohmad Yaseen Hundekar, along with an accomplice, Mohammed Abdul Aamer. A third suspect, Zohar Fathima, remains at large. The group is believed to have duped victims across India.
The scammers created an Instagram account called ‘khoobsurat.rishte’ filled with glamorous photos and videos to lure unsuspecting singles. Victims were added to Islamic matrimony WhatsApp groups, where edited photos of beautiful women were posted alongside enticing contact numbers. The so-called brides expressed interest in marriage to build trust and gather personal details.
The fraud unraveled when a bachelor who had started his search for a soulmate in March 2023 fell for the deceptive photos and began messaging the account. What started as innocent conversations quickly turned into emotional manipulation, with scammers demanding money citing fabricated emergencies. Believing the story, the victim transferred Rs 25 lakh into accounts provided by the fake bride.
Months later, it was revealed the woman’s photos were actually of Parwsha Shah, a Pakistani social media personality.
A police raid recovered mobile phones, laptops, bank passbooks, cheque books, and debit cards used in the scam. Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have issued a warning to verify matrimonial proposals, avoid sharing personal information, and never send money to unknown contacts online. This case is a stark reminder of the risks lurking in the digital dating world.
