Hyderabad Police bust ₹1.46 crore matrimony-investment fraud, 4 arrested
Synopsis
Four men have been arrested in Hyderabad for running a ₹1.46 crore scam that blended fake matrimonial romance with a sham investment platform — a textbook 'pig butchering' operation. The funds were funnelled through mule accounts in Maharashtra and Telangana before being wired to Singapore-based fraudsters via Hawala, exposing the transnational infrastructure behind what looks like a local crime.
Key Takeaways
Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police arrested four persons on 26 June 2026 in a ₹1.46 crore matrimony-cum-investment fraud.
The accused used a fake profile on Sangam Matrimony to lure the victim, then induced him to transfer ₹46.65 lakh to multiple accounts.
Funds were routed through mule accounts in Maharashtra and Telangana , with ₹35 lakh passing through Indian Overseas Bank accounts.
Money was transferred to Singapore-based fraudsters via Hawala networks ; a handler remains absconding.
Arrested individuals received commissions ranging from 10% to 30% for managing mule accounts.
Police have warned the public against unsolicited investment offers on matrimonial sites, Telegram , WhatsApp , Instagram , and Facebook .
The Cyber Crime Unit of Hyderabad City Police has dismantled a ₹1.46 crore matrimony-cum-investment fraud operation, arresting four individuals on 26 June 2026. The accused used fake matrimonial profiles and a sham investment platform to swindle a victim, routing stolen funds to Singapore-based cyber fraudsters through Hawala networks and multiple mule bank accounts.
How the Fraud Unfolded
The scam began when the accused impersonated a woman on the Sangam Matrimony platform, cultivating a relationship with the victim under the guise of a marriage proposal. Once trust was established, the fraudsters lured him into investing in a fabricated investment platform, promising high returns.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crimes) V. Arvind Babu, the fraudsters initially displayed fake profits to build confidence, then induced the victim to transfer ₹46.65 lakh across multiple bank accounts. When the victim attempted to withdraw funds, the accused demanded additional charges and blocked the transaction — at which point he realised he had been defrauded and filed a complaint with the Cyber Crime Police on 13 February 2026.
The Money Trail
Investigators traced the fraudulent funds through a network of mule accounts spread across Maharashtra and Telangana. Accounts maintained with Indian Overseas Bank were used to route a total of ₹35 lakh of the cheated amount. The funds were ultimately transferred overseas to Singapore-based operators via Hawala channels, according to police.
Who Was Arrested and Their Roles
The four men arrested are Chokkala Sampath of Siddipet, and Hechu Naresh, Endla Suresh, and Vadkala Mahesh, all residents of Secunderabad.
Sampath, acting on instructions from an absconding handler, managed mule accounts to ensure smooth fund transfers and reportedly received a 30% commission. Naresh, an account holder himself, facilitated the opening of mule accounts and the withdrawal of funds while bypassing scrutiny, earning a 15% commission. Suresh and Mahesh assisted in opening mule accounts and each received a 10% commission. A higher-level handler remains at large.
Police Advisory to the Public
Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have urged citizens to exercise caution when approached by unknown individuals on matrimonial sites, Telegram, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook with offers to invest in stock markets, trading platforms, or task-based investment schemes promising high returns. Officials stressed that such approaches are classic red flags of organised cyber fraud.
This case is part of a broader national pattern of 'pig butchering' scams — where fraudsters combine romance and fake investment platforms — that have surged in India over the past two years, with international syndicates increasingly routing proceeds through Hawala to evade detection. Investigations are ongoing and further arrests are expected.
Point of View
15%, and 10% commission structure reveals a franchised operation, not opportunistic crime. What is striking is how little friction exists: Hawala transfers to Singapore, mule accounts across two states, and a handler still at large suggest the four arrests are the bottom of a much larger pyramid. Hyderabad's Cyber Crime Unit deserves credit for tracing the money trail, but the absconding handler and the Singapore end of the network remain unresolved — and that is where the real accountability lies.
NationPress
26 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hyderabad matrimony-cum-investment fraud case?
It is a ₹1.46 crore cyber fraud in which the accused impersonated a woman on the Sangam Matrimony platform, built a relationship with the victim, and then lured him into investing in a fake platform. The victim transferred ₹46.65 lakh before realising he had been cheated.
Who were arrested in the Hyderabad cyber fraud case?
The four arrested individuals are Chokkala Sampath of Siddipet, and Hechu Naresh, Endla Suresh, and Vadkala Mahesh, all residents of Secunderabad. They managed mule bank accounts and facilitated fund transfers for the fraud operation.
How were the stolen funds moved?
The fraudulent funds were routed through mule bank accounts spread across Maharashtra and Telangana, including accounts with Indian Overseas Bank through which ₹35 lakh was channelled. The money was then transferred to Singapore-based cyber fraudsters via Hawala networks.
What is a mule bank account and why is it used in cyber fraud?
A mule bank account is a bank account opened or used by a third party to receive and transfer illegally obtained money on behalf of fraudsters. In this case, the accused opened and managed such accounts to move stolen funds while distancing the overseas masterminds from direct detection.
How can people protect themselves from matrimony and investment scams?
Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police advise the public to be wary of unknown individuals on matrimonial sites, Telegram, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook who offer high-return investment opportunities in stock markets or task-based schemes. Any unsolicited financial offer from a new online contact should be treated as a potential fraud.
