Indian Businessman Scammed Out of $700K in Fake Trading and Dating Scheme
In a shocking case of cyber fraud, an Indian businessman has lost ₹6.52 crore after falling victim to a sophisticated online investment scam that began through a dating app.
The victim, a Delhi-based company director, met a woman identifying herself as “Anita Chauhan” on a dating app in December 2024. Their online relationship quickly developed, eventually leading to Chauhan introducing him to what appeared to be a lucrative trading platform—despite his lack of investment experience.
Initially cautious, the businessman invested ₹3.2 lakh and received a profit of ₹24,000, which convinced him the platform was genuine. Over time, he made larger investments, transferring over ₹6.5 crore to various bank accounts much of it secured through loans.
The scam began to unravel when he attempted to withdraw his funds. The platforms, “SpreadMKT” and “Sprecdex.cc,” demanded a 30% security fee for release of the money. After paying, he was hit with another demand: an additional ₹61 lakh as a so-called “exchange service fee.” When he resisted and tried to contact Chauhan, she disappeared. Her dating profile turned out to be fake, and all communication ceased.
The businessman has filed a formal complaint with the Cyber Police in Noida. Authorities have launched an investigation into the fraudulent platforms and the accounts that received the funds. Early findings confirm both trading sites were scams, and the woman’s identity remains unknown.
This case underscores the rising threat of cybercrime that blends romance and financial fraud. Police are urging the public to remain vigilant especially when financial discussions arise from online relationships and to verify the legitimacy of any trading platform before investing.
