Delhi women arrested for ₹1.30 lakh dating app fraud on 67-year-old man
Synopsis
A 67-year-old Delhi man lost ₹1.30 lakh after two women — one posing as a dating app match — befriended him, stole his phone at a Defence Colony restaurant, and drained his bank accounts via UPI within hours. The accused destroyed the stolen phone to cover their tracks, but CCTV footage of an ATM withdrawal gave them away.
Key Takeaways
Jyotsna, 26 , and Manshi, 21 , both residents of Delhi , were arrested for allegedly defrauding a 67-year-old senior citizen of ₹1.30 lakh .
Jyotsna allegedly created a fictitious dating app profile; Manshi allegedly met the victim in person by impersonating that profile.
The victim's phone was stolen on 24 July during a dinner at a restaurant in Defence Colony ; ₹1.30 lakh was transferred via UPI shortly after. ₹90,000 of the total amount was allegedly withdrawn through an ATM; CCTV footage of the withdrawal was a key investigative lead.
The stolen phone was allegedly destroyed by the accused to eliminate evidence; two other mobile phones have been recovered.
The case is registered as e-FIR No.
381/26 under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at PS Cyber, South-West District .
Two women have been arrested by South-West District Police in New Delhi for allegedly defrauding a 67-year-old senior citizen of ₹1.30 lakh through a fictitious dating app profile, impersonation, and the theft of his mobile phone, police said on Wednesday, 19 August. The accused — identified as Jyotsna, 26, and Manshi, 21, both residents of Delhi — were traced through banking records, CCTV footage, and technical surveillance.
How the Fraud Unfolded
Jyotsna allegedly created and operated a fictitious profile on a dating app, establishing contact with the complainant before looping in her associate. Manshi then allegedly met the victim in person, impersonating the woman whose profile he had interacted with online, leading him to believe she was the same individual.
The complainant told police he first connected with the woman through the dating app and later continued communication via Telegram. The two accused met him on 20 July and again on 24 July. During the second meeting — a dinner at a restaurant in Defence Colony — his mobile phone was allegedly stolen as the group was leaving.
How the Money Was Taken
Shortly after the theft on 24 July, a total of ₹1.30 lakh was transferred via UPI from the complainant's two bank accounts without his consent, according to police. Investigators found that the funds were first moved to an account in Jyotsna's name and subsequently transferred to an account linked to Manshi. Of the total amount, ₹90,000 was allegedly withdrawn through an ATM, with CCTV footage capturing the two women at the machine — a lead that proved crucial to the investigation.
The stolen mobile phone was subsequently destroyed by the accused, allegedly to eliminate evidence, police said.
The Investigation
An e-FIR (No. 381/26) was registered at PS Cyber, South-West District on 25 July under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, following a complaint by the senior citizen. A dedicated team comprising SI Neeraj and HC Sandeep was constituted under the leadership of Inspector Pravesh Kaushik, SHO, PS Cyber, South-West District, under the overall supervision of Sandeep Ghai, ACP/Ops, South-West District.
The team examined account-opening forms, KYC documents, bank statements, transaction records, and CCTV footage, and conducted technical surveillance to identify and trace the suspects. Two mobile phones have been recovered from the accused.
A Wider Pattern of Dating App Scams
This case follows a broader pattern of romance and impersonation frauds targeting senior citizens through dating and social platforms. Victims are typically lured through emotional engagement online before being met in person under false pretences, with financial theft executed swiftly once physical contact is established. Notably, the combination of UPI-linked phone theft and ATM cash-out is an increasingly documented modus operandi in urban cybercrime cases. Further investigation is underway.
Point of View
Telegram for sustained grooming, and in-person impersonation to close the trap. The swift UPI drain the moment the phone was stolen suggests the accused were familiar with the mechanics of linked bank accounts, pointing to a degree of premeditation beyond opportunistic theft. Senior citizens remain disproportionately vulnerable to such hybrid scams, yet awareness campaigns have not kept pace with the sophistication of the modus operandi. The destruction of the stolen phone as an evidence-elimination step also raises questions about whether this duo operated alone or had prior experience with similar frauds.
NationPress
19 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Delhi dating app fraud case?
Two women, Jyotsna (26) and Manshi (21), allegedly created a fake dating app profile to befriend a 67-year-old man, met him at a Defence Colony restaurant on 24 July, stole his mobile phone, and transferred ₹1.30 lakh from his bank accounts via UPI without his consent. Both have been arrested by South-West District Police.
How did police identify and catch the accused?
Investigators traced the accused through the banking trail — funds moved from one account to another — along with CCTV footage showing the two women withdrawing ₹90,000 at an ATM, KYC documents, and technical surveillance. Two mobile phones were recovered from the accused.
What charges have been filed in this case?
The case is registered as e-FIR No. 381/26 under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at PS Cyber, South-West District. Further investigation is underway.
How was the ₹1.30 lakh stolen from the victim?
After allegedly stealing the complainant's mobile phone at a Defence Colony restaurant, the accused used the device to transfer ₹1.30 lakh via UPI from his two bank accounts without his knowledge. Of this, ₹90,000 was subsequently withdrawn in cash through an ATM.
How can senior citizens protect themselves from dating app scams?
Authorities advise against sharing personal or banking details with contacts made on dating apps, meeting strangers from online platforms in private settings, or keeping UPI-linked accounts accessible on a single device. Victims are encouraged to file an e-FIR at the nearest cyber police station immediately after any suspected fraud.
