Authored By:V.Chithra
Chennai Dr Ambedkar Government Law College pudupakkam
Abstract:
Matrimonial cyber fraud has emerged as one of the fastest-growing categories of cybercrime in India, exploiting the cultural sanctity of arranged marriages in an increasingly digital ecosystem. Perpetrators create sophisticated fake profiles on matrimonial and dating platforms, build long-term emotional relationships, and defraud victims through investment scams, gift/customs clearance ruses, sextortion, and organized “looteri dulhan” (fraudulent bride) syndicates. With financial losses exceeding ₹22,000 crore in 2024 and a 900% surge in complaints over four years, these offenses reveal critical gaps in India’s legal and enforcement architecture.
This article examines the evolving modus operandi of matrimonial cyber fraud, analyses the adequacy and limitations of existing legal frameworks, highlights enforcement bottlenecks, and identifies recent judicial and policy responses. It including a specific offence of matrimonial cyber fraud, strengthened international cooperation, mandatory real-time KYC on matrimonial platforms, and specialized cyber courts—to protect citizens in an era where trust in digital matchmaking is being systematically weaponized.
keywords:
Matrimonial cyber fraud, romance scams, fake profiles, looteri dulhan, sextortion, digital arrest, investment scam, IT Act 66D, BNS 2023, deepfake fraud, AI scams , cybercrime India
Introduction:
In India, marriage remains a sacred institution built on trust and family honor. The rapid shift to online matrimonial platforms (over 15 million active users in 2025) was meant to preserve that trust in a modern form. Instead, it has become the perfect hunting ground for one of the country’s most devastating cybercrimes “Matrimonial cyber fraud” a calculated fusion of prolonged emotional grooming, fake identities, and large-scale financial fraud. What began as isolated fake NRI groom cases in the early 2000s has transformed into sophisticated transnational syndicates operating from South-East Asian scam hubs, using AI deepfakes, voice cloning, and “digital arrest” tactics to extract thousands of crores annually. With recorded losses exceeding ₹22,000 crore in 2024 alone and constituting the single largest category of financial cyber fraud in India, This offence combines crimes against property, person, and the social institution of marriage itself.
In India recent replacement of IPC with Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, stricter IT Rules 2021, and growing judicial scrutiny of platform liability—this rising menace exposes a critical gap: India still lacks a specific offence or coordinated mechanism to counter emotionally engineered long matrimonial fraud in the digital age.
History of Matrimonial cyber fraud in India:
The phenomenon of matrimonial cyber fraud in India traces its roots to the early digital era, evolving from rudimentary online deceptions to sophisticated, AI-driven operations that exploit the nation’s deep-rooted cultural emphasis on arranged marriages. There are different phases in matrimonial cyber fraud in India.
Nascent phase (2000–2010):
As internet penetration grew and platforms like Yahoo chatrooms and early matrimonial sites (e.g., Shaadi.com, launched in 1997) gained traction, isolated cases emerged of fake NRI (Non-Resident Indian) profiles used to extract “settlement” or dowry-like payments. These scams often involved basic impersonation, with fraudsters posing as overseas professionals to lure vulnerable individuals, particularly women seeking second marriages, though convictions were rare due to limited cyber forensics and awareness.
In the 2010 Era:
The marked a surge, coinciding with smartphone proliferation and the IT Act, 2000 amendments in 2008, which first criminalized digital cheating under Sections 66C and 66D. In 2016, Pune’s cyber police had registered 62 cases of fraud via matrimonial and networking sites, including a high-profile instance where a 38-year-old software professional lost ₹38 lakh to a fake UK doctor profile. That same year, a Mumbai woman was duped of ₹1.2 crore over 15 months by a US-based fraudster and 36 accomplices, highlighting the role of Nigerian gangs in “gift” scams—fabricated overseas parcels requiring clearance fees. Reports from Thane and Hyderabad cyber cells underscored a pattern targeting widows and divorcees, with losses averaging ₹10–48 lakh per victim.
In the 2017–2019 Era:
The frauds escalated in scale and hybridity, blending emotional grooming with investment ruses. Pune alone saw 54 cases in the first half of 2017, an 82% rise from the previous year, often involving “pig-butchering” tactics where scammers-built trust before pitching fake trading schemes. Visakhapatnam’s Cyber Crime Investigation Cell reported at least 10 incidents in two years (2016–2018), primarily against young widows via fake profiles of foreign-settled professionals. The Madras High Court’s 2018 ruling in Shree Maheshwari Matrimony v. Union of India imposed due diligence duties on platforms, marking early judicial pushback against intermediary immunity. By 2019, organized elements, including African syndicates, had infiltrated, with Delhi Police arresting three Nigerians and an Indian woman for defrauding brides via popular sites.
In the 2020–2023 Era:
The COVID-19 lockdowns catalyzed an explosion, as digital isolation amplified online interactions. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) noted a 30% jump in matrimonial and romance scams from 2020 to 2021, with losses exceeding ₹500 crore annually by 2022. The Maharashtra’s NCRB data for 2022 highlighted matrimonial fraud as the top cybercrime against women, often intertwined with sextortion. In Tamil Nadu, 230 complaints were filed in 2022, rising to 156 in just seven months of 2023, with fraudsters using foreign numbers for “honey-trap” extortion. The Delhi District Court’s 2021 decision in Kumari Sharma v. TrueJodi.com awarded ₹18 lakh compensation to a victim, holding platforms liable for verification lapses. Trafficking of Indian youth to Southeast Asian scam hubs (e.g., Cambodia’s Sihanoukville) also spiked, fueling “looteri dulhan” (fraudulent bride) rackets.
In the 2023 Era:
In India The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita’s rollout and IT Rules 2021, the scams integrated advanced tech, becoming more transnational and lethal. By 2024, India ranked third globally for new romance scam profiles (12% of totals), with NCRB reporting over 62,000 cases and ₹14,200 crore losses— a 900% rise over four years. In 2025, AI deepfakes and voice cloning dominated, with McAfee reporting 39% of Indians encountering fake AI profiles; cases like a Pune man’s ₹3.6 crore loss to an Australia-based fraudster and Chhattisgarh’s “Cyber Shield” operation (11 arrests) underscored the crisis. The Delhi High Court’s 2025 ruling in XYZ v. Matrimonial Portal Pvt. Ltd. further eroded platform safe-harbor, mandating real-time KYC. This trajectory reflects not just technological adaptation but a systemic failure to safeguard digital trust in India’s matrimonial ecosystem.
Legal Framework for Matrimonial Cyber Fraud in India:
India’s legal response to matrimonial cyber fraud the form of romance or investment scam exploiting online matchmaking platforms relies on a composite framework integrating cyber-specific statutes, general criminal laws, and family regulations. The framework emphasizes prosecution under digital cheating, identity theft, and organized crime, supported by intermediary accountability rules.
Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act) and 2008 Amendments:
The IT Act forms the cornerstone of cybercrime regulation, providing legal recognition to electronic records and targeting digital impersonation central to matrimonial scams (e.g., fake NRI profiles on Shaadi.com). No major amendments occurred in 2025 specifically for matrimonial frauds, but enforcement has intensified via advisories from the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C).
Section 66C: Identity Theft Punishes fraudulent use of another’s identity (e.g., stolen photos for fake profiles); up to 3 years imprisonment and/or ₹1 lakh fine. Applicable to profile creation with forged Aadhaar/PAN details.
Section 66D: Cheating by Personation Using Computer Resources Core provision for matrimonial frauds involving impersonation via apps/websites. Penalties up to 3 years imprisonment and/or ₹1 lakh fine. Used in 62,000+ investment-linked cases in 2024.
Section 67/67A: Publishing/Transmitting Obscene Material* – Covers sextortion via morphed intimate images from video calls; up to 5 years imprisonment and/or ₹10 lakh fine for first offense, life imprisonment for repeat/repeat aggravated cases.
Section 43A: Compensation for Data Mishandling* – Allows civil remedies against platforms for negligent profile verification leading to fraud.
Section 79: Intermediary Liability Grants “safe harbour” to platforms like Bharat Matrimony if they act on complaints within 24 hours; lost in negligence cases, as in the 2025 Hyderabad Shaadi.com scam where the platform was held liable under BNS for ignoring reports.
Later , The IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, mandate platforms to verify users, block VPN registrations, and report grievances via Grievance Appellate Committees (GACs)—non-compliance invites fines or blocking.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) – Replacing Indian Penal Code, 1860
Effective July 1, 2024, the BNS modernizes criminal law with explicit inclusion of electronic modes and organized crime, addressing gaps in the IPC for cyber frauds. It complements the IT Act by focusing on substantive offenses like cheating and forgery, with enhanced penalties for syndicates (e.g., “looteri dulhan” gangs).
Section 316: Cheating– Covers inducement to deliver property (e.g., funds for “wedding investments” Punishable up to 7 years rigorous imprisonment if property involved, plus fine. Extends to digital inducement.
Section 318: Forgery of Electronic Records – Penalizes fake documents/profiles (e.g., fabricated visa papers); Punishable up to 7 years and fine.
Section 336: Forgery for Harm to Reputation – Targets deep fake/morphed images in sextortion. Punishable up to 3 years and/or fine.
Section 111: Organized Crime – Treats syndicate-based matrimonial frauds (e.g., Cambodian call centers) as serious offenses; death penalty or life imprisonment if resulting in death, otherwise 5+ years. Includes cybercrimes like phishing as economic offenses.
Section 356: Defamation via Electronic Means – For reputation-damaging blackmail; Punishable up to 2 years simple imprisonment and/or fine.
Family and Matrimonial Laws:
Family and Matrimonial Laws provide civil remedies for fraud-induced marriages, focusing on annulment rather than criminal penalties.
Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (Section 12) – Allows annulment for fraud (e.g., concealment of criminal intent/motives); civil damages possible but limited. Interpreted broadly for pre-marital online deception.
Special Marriage Act, 1954 (Section 25) – Similar annulment grounds for inter-faith unions.
– Judicial gloss: Courts recognize emotional fraud as “fraudulent consent,” but proving intent remains challenging without digital evidence.
Reporting and Investigation:
The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or helpline 1930; integrates with Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS) for real-time blocking (e.g., 9.42 lakh SIMs/2.63 lakh IMEIs blocked in 2025).
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS): Mandates audio-video recording of searches/statements and electronic FIRs for cyber probes; timelines for trials (e.g., 45 days for chargesheets).
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA): Admits digital evidence (e.g., chat logs, IP traces) with certification, crucial for matrimonial cases.
This framework has led to over 10,000 arrests in 2024–2025, but conviction rates remain below 5% due to evidentiary hurdles. Reforms proposed include a specific BNS clause for “romance fraud” and mandatory AI-based verification on platforms.
Legal Challenges in India:
Matrimonial cyber fraud in India, where scammers create fake profiles on matchmaking platforms to exploit emotional vulnerabilities tied to marriage pressures, has escalated alarmingly. The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) reports that cyber frauds constitute nearly 60% of all cybercrimes, with matrimonial scams surging in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, leading to losses exceeding crores annually. Predominantly targeting women, these frauds blend digital impersonation with fabricated emergencies or investment lures, often resulting in financial ruin and psychological trauma.
Lack of Tailored Legislation for Digital Matrimonial Deception:
Existing laws address general cheating and cyber offenses but fail to capture the nuanced interplay of emotional manipulation, cultural stigma, and platform-specific tactics in matrimonial frauds. Under BNS Section 318 (cheating, akin to IPC 420) civil remedies like annulment under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (Section 12). The IT Act’s Sections 66C (identity theft) and 66D (cheating by personation) cover impersonation but overlook algorithmic facilitation or unverified profiles, leaving no specific penalty for “matrimonial cyber fraud.”
In XYZ v. Matrimonial Portal (Delhi High Court, 2022), a victim sued a platform for inadequate verification after losing funds to a fake suitor’s “customs fee” ploy; the court upheld intermediary protections under IT Act Section 79 but urged stricter KYC norms, exposing legislative voids.
Enforcement Hurdles: Low Convictions and Resource Constraints
Investigations falter due to undertrained cyber police, jurisdictional barriers in cross-border scams (e.g., using foreign SIMs or VPNs), and judicial delays in admitting digital evidence under the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (Section 65B). Only 23% of victims report due to shame, per Tamil Nadu police estimates, with cases lingering 2–3 years amid backlogs
In 2025 Pune scam involved Abhishek Shukla, an Australia-based fraudster who contacted over 3,000 women via fake profiles, duping one of ₹3.6 crore; despite arrests, tracing laundered funds stalled due to international trails, with five more victims emerging post-arrest.
Intermediary Immunity and Platform Accountability Gaps:
Matrimonial sites like Shaadi.com and Bharat Matrimony benefit from “safe harbor” under IT Act Section 79, exempting them from liability for user-generated fraud unless they “abate” it actively. Minimal KYC (e.g., self-attested IDs) enables fakes, and post-2022 IT Rules amendments mandate grievance officers but lack enforcement for verification.
In 2025 Chhattisgarh gang operated six fake sites (e.g., Indian Royal Matrimony), defrauding 500 via call centers; arrests exposed lax platform oversight, but intermediaries escaped liability, prompting calls for mandatory AI-driven fraud detection.
Victim-Centric Barriers: Stigma, Reporting, and Remedies:
Cultural taboos around “failed matches” deter 70–80% of victims, per cyber experts, while remedies under BNS/IPC (e.g., Sections 415–420 for cheating) offer fines/imprisonment but scant emotional or financial restitution. No dedicated victim support like counselling funds exists, unlike in the US under FTC romance scam protocols.
In Visakhapatnam, over 10 women lost ₹20 lakh in 2025 to NRI fakes promising gifts; stigma silenced most, but police raids busted a Jharkhand-Chhattisgarh nexus, recovering partial assets.
Emerging Trends in Matrimonial Cyber Fraud in India:
Matrimonial cyber fraud—where scammers use fake profiles on platforms like Shaadi.com, Bharat Matrimony, and Jeevansathi to exploit emotional vulnerabilities tied to marriage pressure has intensified in 2025 amid India’s digital matchmaking surge (over 50 million users). The National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) records a 206% year-over-year spike in cases, with losses exceeding ₹500 crore, predominantly in Tier-2/3 cities targeting women. Fraudsters now integrate AI, cryptocurrency, and cross-platform tactics for greater sophistication, blending emotional grooming with financial lures.
AI-Generated Deep fakes and Profiles for Ultra-Realistic Impersonation:
Scammers employ generative AI to craft hyper-realistic photos, videos, and voices of “perfect matches” (e.g., affluent NRIs or professionals), surpassing stolen images in evasion. Real-time deepfakes enable live WhatsApp interactions, accelerating trust-building before pivoting to scams.
The Impact of Detection rates fell 30%, per Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) data, and 90% of Indians encountered AI-generated endorsements, averaging ₹34,500 losses.
Cryptocurrency and Shared Future Investment Lures:
The Posing as partners, fraudsters pitch “joint investments” for marital security, funneling victims to bogus apps like City Index or Bitcoin promising high returns. Initial “profits” via manipulated dashboards hook larger transfers, often in untraceable crypto.
The Impact of Projected annual losses hit ₹1.2 lakh crore (0.7% of GDP), per I4C; unregulated apps evade RBI/SEBI oversight, with withdrawals blocked by escalating “fees.”
Cross-Platform Exploitation via WhatsApp, Instagram, and Social Media:
The Initial contacts on matrimonial sites migrate to WhatsApp/Instagram for deeper engagement, using malicious ads for account hacks or clones. Fraudsters exploit filters (age, income) for targeted grooming, with 43,797 WhatsApp-related fraud complaints in Q1 2025 alone. Tamil Nadu’s March 2025 directive mandates VPN blocks on sites to counter.
The Impact of Complaints arising 150% in smaller cities, per NCRP; emotional manipulation via video calls amplifies underreporting (20–30%).
Targeted Exploitation of Vulnerable Groups with Cultural Nuances:
The Focus on divorcees, widows, and “second marriage” seekers in Tier-2/3 cities, leveraging caste/horoscope details for authenticity. Scammers reference “customs fees” for overseas gifts, preying on arranged marriage urgency. Visakhapatnam logged 10+ cases in 2025 targeting such profiles.
The Impact of Women bear 60% of losses; cultural pressures exacerbate trauma, with family law gaps hindering remedies.
Organized Call Centers and Transnational Syndicates:
A Fake call centres in Bihar/Jharkhand/Chhattisgarh, linked to Dubai/Pakistan networks, handle high-volume operations with role division (profilers, groomers, mules).
The Impact of I4C’s Threat Analytics Unit issued 2025 alerts; extraditions lag without pacts, fueling ₹22,812 crore in 2024 losses (projected higher for 2025).
In 2025 trends reveal fraudsters outpacing regulations like the IT Act, 2000, demanding AI detection mandates, KYC enhancements, and fast-track courts. Users: Verify via live video/reverse image searches, avoid off-platform money transfers, and report to 1930.
Prevention Tips on Matrimonial Cyber Fraud in India (2025):
Matrimonial cyber fraud, exploiting platforms like Shaadi.com for emotional manipulation and financial scams, has surged 206% in 2025 per NCRP data.
Verify Profiles Thoroughly: Demand live video calls with real-time proofs (e.g., holding a newspaper) and use reverse image search on photos; avoid profiles without mandatory ID verification.
Never Transfer Money: Refuse requests for “emergencies,” “customs fees,” or investments (e.g., crypto apps like City Index); real partners don’t ask for funds online.
Report Suspicious Activity Immediately: Use National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or dial 1930 within the “golden hour” for better fund recovery (up to 20% success rate).
Enhance Personal Security: Enable 2FA, use unique passwords/biometrics, avoid sharing personal details (e.g., OTPs, birthdays), and update apps/devices regularly.
Stay Educated: Join MHA/I4C awareness campaigns; alert family about red flags like high-return promises or off-platform shifts (e.g., to WhatsApp).
CONCLUSION:
Matrimonial cyber fraud has emerged as one of the most insidious forms of organised cybercrime in India, blending emotional manipulation with technological sophistication. Although the Information Technology Act, 2000 and relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code provide the basic legal scaffolding, judicial precedents and government advisories reveal persistent gaps in proactive enforcement, inter-state coordination and platform accountability. Rapidly evolving trends—deepfakes, AI-generated profiles, transnational gangs and cryptocurrency ransoms demand immediate legislative and institutional overhaul. Without mandatory KYC on matrimonial sites, dedicated cyber-crime cells for relationship fraud, and nationwide public awareness campaigns, the existing framework will remain reactive rather than preventive. Protecting citizens from predators hiding behind promises of marriage is not merely a law-enforcement challenge; it is a fundamental test of India’s digital justice system
