TL;DR: Deccan Chronicle reported on February 1, 2026 that a 35-year-old Hyderabad software engineer lost about ₹38 lakh after a woman he met through a matrimony website said the marriage would not be accepted unless he invested in crypto. The platform showed profits above ₹1.08 crore but let him withdraw only ₹31,758, then asked for ₹21.58 lakh more.
What happened
Deccan Chronicle reports that a 35-year-old software engineer posted a matrimonial alliance request on a matrimony website on November 16, 2025. A woman replied, and on November 21 they moved to WhatsApp. She claimed expertise in crypto trading and said her family had earned crores through digital assets. These are allegations in his complaint.
The pressure to invest
- She told him the marriage would not be accepted unless he invested in cryptocurrency, promising high returns with minimal risk.
- He invested through a mobile website that looked like a crypto trading platform and also borrowed money.
- The total invested is reported as ₹38.3 lakh in one place and ₹38.62 lakh in another.
The withdrawal trap
The platform showed profits above ₹1.08 crore, but he could withdraw only ₹31,758. When he tried to take out more, his account was frozen and he was asked to pay a further ₹21.58 lakh. He complained to the Malkajgiri police. The report gives no arrests or recovery of funds. The article's dates are not fully consistent, so the exact timeline is not certain.
Why it keeps working
The scammer ties love to an investment, so refusing feels like rejecting the relationship. A tiny first withdrawal builds trust, then the “fee to unlock” traps the rest. Our guides on romance investment scams in India and realistic crypto scam recovery explain the pattern and what can be saved.
Red flags
- “Marriage will only be approved if you invest.”
- Family “wealth” from crypto that you cannot verify.
- A small withdrawal that works, then a block when you try a big one.
- A new fee to “unlock” your own money.
Read how to spot a fake matrimonial profile and report fast using the 1930 complaint steps. Try our free digital footprint check to see how easily your details can be found.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did the engineer lose?
About ₹38 lakh. The article gives ₹38.3 lakh and ₹38.62 lakh in different places.
What did the fake platform show?
Profits above ₹1.08 crore, but he could withdraw only ₹31,758 before the account was frozen.
What was the extra demand?
An additional ₹21.58 lakh to release the account.
Which police station took the complaint?
Malkajgiri police in Hyderabad. No arrests were reported.
Sources
- Deccan Chronicle: Hyderabad love scam drains techie's ₹38 lakh savings (Feb 1, 2026)
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in)