Hyderabad: A 47-year-old woman from Vinay Nagar Colony, Saidabad, lost ₹3.38 lakh after a fraudster trapped her in a UK doctor marriage scam. Cybercrime police said she was targeted through social media and WhatsApp.
The accused introduced himself as “Hirad Ahmed,” a UK-based doctor. He spoke to her through calls, chats and video messages and gradually won her trust. He claimed he wanted to marry her. He then told her to open two new bank accounts and obtain two SIM cards. After that, he instructed her to send the account details, passbooks and ATM cards to a so-called “UK Affairs Office” in New Delhi.
Soon, she began receiving forged documents related to visa and marriage processing. The fraudsters repeatedly demanded money for fake expenses, including visa fees, baggage issues, hotel charges, flight delays and medical emergencies. She transferred ₹3,38,200 believing the claims were genuine. She realised the deception only when the callers stopped responding and unknown numbers began contacting her.
UK doctor marriage scam prompts cybercrime safety advisory
Cybercrime police issued a public advisory urging citizens to stay cautious of online marriage proposals, especially those involving foreign professionals. They advised people to avoid sharing personal or banking details with strangers and not to fall for emotional pressure.
Officials also warned against transferring money for visa, travel or emergency charges without proper verification. They asked the public to block and report suspicious calls and messages.
Victims can report cyber fraud by calling the 1930 helpline or by visiting https://cybercrime.gov.in. People may also contact the Hyderabad Cybercrime unit on WhatsApp at 8712665171.
Cybercrime officials encouraged citizens to follow their verified social media pages for regular updates and awareness tips.
