Pune Matrimonial Site Scams Soar: Crores Lost to Cybercriminals Targeting Youth

• Matrimonial sites in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad are becoming hotbeds for cyber fraud, targeting educated young men and women.
• Over 30 major cases reported in the last six months, with fraud amounts ranging up to a staggering 3.5 crores.
• Fraudsters build relationships, then extort money through threats (e.g., rape, digital arrest) or fake demands like customs duty.
• Victims include IT professionals and divorced women; one young man lost 43 lakhs after being threatened by a woman.
• Police urge vigilance, advise against financial transactions with strangers, and recommend verifying backgrounds; report fraud to 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.