Matrimonial fraud rising in Coimbatore: 50+ complaints as men over 40 targeted online
Synopsis
Over 50 men above 40 in Coimbatore have been conned through fake matrimonial relationships, with fraudsters building months-long emotional bonds before redirecting victims into sham investments. With ₹9 crore in reported losses district-wide and FIR thresholds now lowered to ₹1 lakh, Coimbatore police are confronting a cybercrime surge that is both emotionally and financially devastating.
Key Takeaways
More than 50 matrimonial fraud complaints have been filed in Coimbatore , targeting unmarried men above 40 on online platforms.
Coimbatore Rural police received 25 complaints ; the city cybercrime wing recorded around 30 .
25 people have been arrested and approximately ₹2.10 crore recovered so far.
4,360 cybercrime complaints filed with the rural unit in 2026, with total reported losses of around ₹9 crore .
Police now register FIRs for losses as low as ₹1 lakh , down from the earlier threshold of ₹5 lakh .
Fake online trading ( 216 complaints ) and job scams ( 200 complaints ) also feature prominently in the district's cybercrime tally.
More than 50 complaints of matrimonial fraud have been recorded in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, with cybercriminals specifically targeting unmarried men above the age of 40 through online matrimonial platforms, police said on 23 September 2026. The cases span two jurisdictions — Coimbatore Rural police have received 25 complaints, while the city cybercrime wing has logged around 30.
How the Fraud Unfolds
According to district cybercrime inspector K. Kavitha, perpetrators — typically women posing as prospective brides — initiate contact with targets on matrimonial platforms and sustain a relationship over weeks or months through calls and messages. Once emotional trust is established and the prospect of marriage seems real, fraudsters steer victims toward financial transfers under the guise of investment opportunities. The fraud is compounded by emotional damage when victims eventually discover the relationship was entirely fabricated, police said.
Investigators noted that the prolonged nature of these schemes — often unfolding over several months — makes it harder for victims to detect the deception before incurring significant financial losses. A lengthy conversation or an apparent commitment to marriage, police cautioned, does not verify the identity or credibility of the other person.
Why Matrimonial Platforms Are Exploited
Personal details routinely listed on matrimonial websites — including age, educational qualifications, income level, and property ownership — serve as a ready profiling tool for fraudsters. Police noted that several platforms allow such information to be browsed without any payment or registration barrier, making it easier for bad actors to identify and approach potential targets.
Wider Cybercrime Picture in the District
Coimbatore Rural cybercrime police registered 118 cases in the first nine months of 2026, with 100 of those filed in the past three months alone — indicating a sharp acceleration. The rural unit has received 4,360 cybercrime complaints this year, with reported losses totalling approximately ₹9 crore. Police have so far arrested 25 people and recovered around ₹2.10 crore.
Beyond matrimonial fraud, fake online trading schemes generated 216 complaints, while online job scams accounted for 200. Authorities also recorded 36 digital arrest scam complaints, 34 cases linked to fraudulent know-your-customer (KYC) updates, 39 involving malicious APK files, and 25 concerning fake customer care services.
Shift in Case Registration Policy
In a notable policy change, officers who previously registered FIRs only when reported losses exceeded ₹5 lakh have begun filing cases involving losses of around ₹1 lakh over the past two months, inspector Kavitha said. The move is aimed at capturing the full scale of cybercrime and deterring lower-value frauds that often go unrecorded.
Police Advisory
Authorities have urged users of matrimonial platforms to independently verify identities before deepening contact, and to refuse any request to transfer money or make investments originating from someone known only online. With cybercrime complaints in the district surging, police say vigilance at the first point of contact remains the most effective safeguard.
Point of View
Which combines financial loss with social stigma, suppresses reporting among men who fear embarrassment. The decision to lower the FIR threshold to ₹1 lakh is a meaningful corrective, but it will take more than a policy tweak to surface the true scale. Matrimonial platforms that allow unrestricted browsing of sensitive personal data — income, property, age — are effectively providing a target list to fraudsters; the absence of any platform-level due diligence in this story is a gap regulators have yet to address seriously.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is matrimonial fraud and how does it work in Coimbatore?
Matrimonial fraud involves criminals posing as prospective marriage partners online to build emotional trust with victims before persuading them to transfer money, often framed as an investment. In Coimbatore, over 50 such complaints have been filed, with men above 40 specifically targeted through online matrimonial platforms.
How much money have victims lost to matrimonial fraud in Coimbatore?
While the total losses specific to matrimonial fraud have not been separately itemised, Coimbatore Rural cybercrime police reported total cybercrime losses of around ₹9 crore across 4,360 complaints in 2026. Authorities have so far recovered approximately ₹2.10 crore and arrested 25 people across cybercrime cases.
Why are men over 40 being targeted in these matrimonial scams?
According to police, matrimonial websites display detailed personal information — including age, income, qualifications, and property — that fraudsters use to identify and approach vulnerable targets. Unmarried men above 40 are seen as more emotionally susceptible to a long-term courtship approach, making them prime targets.
What steps have Coimbatore police taken against cybercrime?
Police have arrested 25 people and recovered around ₹2.10 crore. They have also lowered the threshold for registering FIRs from losses above ₹5 lakh to cases involving losses of around ₹1 lakh, a change introduced over the past two months to capture a fuller picture of cybercrime in the district.
How can people protect themselves from matrimonial fraud?
Coimbatore police advise users of matrimonial platforms to independently verify the identity of anyone they meet online and to never transfer money or make investments at the request of someone known only through digital contact. A prolonged conversation or a promise of marriage, police warn, does not confirm a person's identity or the legitimacy of any financial proposal.
