Highlights:
– The use of dating and matrimonial apps has become popular and people rely on them to find partners.
– However, online dating scams have been on the rise in recent months in India, targeting people through these apps.
– Approximately 66% of adults in India have fallen victim to online dating/romance scams, resulting in an average loss of INR 7,966.
– The Ministry of Finance has issued an advisory to raise awareness about marriage dating scams.
– Fraudsters use a trick where they meet victims online, pretend to be their friends or partners, and ask for money under the pretext of paying customs duty fees at the airport.
– The Ministry of Finance has clarified that Indian Customs officers never ask for payment in personal bank accounts and all communication from them can be verified on the CBIC website.
– It is advised to be cautious when communicating with others online, not to trust someone without meeting them, and to avoid sharing personal details online.
The Ministry of Finance has issued a warning to users of dating apps about the increasing number of online scams and fraudulent activities. Dating and matrimonial apps have become extremely popular in recent times, and people rely on these platforms to find their partners. However, the digital age has also made people vulnerable to scams and frauds in the pursuit of online love. There have been several reported cases of online scams in India involving dating apps, where people have been conned out of large sums of money.
According to reports, around 66% of adults in India have fallen victim to online dating scams and have suffered an average loss of INR 7,966. Scammers lure individuals by first meeting them online and then establishing a friendship or romantic relationship. They convince the victims to send money under the pretext of paying customs duty on expensive gifts sent to them. The victims, believing the scam to be genuine, end up losing a significant amount of money.
In light of the increasing number of such scams, the Ministry of Finance has issued an advisory urging people to remain alert and cautious. The government has clarified that officers from the Indian Customs Department never make calls or send SMS to individuals for personal bank account transactions related to customs duty. Additionally, all communication from the Indian Customs contains a DIN (Document Identification Number) that can be verified on the CBIC website.
It is essential for individuals to exercise caution and be vigilant while engaging in online conversations. Trust should not be placed in individuals who haven’t been met in person, and personal details should not be shared online.
And, the rise of online dating scams is a concerning trend that poses a significant threat to individuals in their search for love. It is crucial to be aware of such fraudulent activities and take necessary precautions to protect oneself from falling victim to these scams.
