Romance Scams Surge in Kerala, Victims Lose ₹20 Crore
Nirmal Jose
Sprouts News Exclusive
A silent epidemic of romance scams is sweeping across Kerala, leaving victims emotionally shattered and financially drained. Particularly in the districts of Trivandrum, Kasaragode, Pathanamthitta, and Quilon, scammers are preying on unsuspecting individuals through online platforms. Despite massive losses, victims are hesitant to report these crimes to the police, allowing the fraudsters to operate freely.
•’How the Scam Works:
A Web of Deception
Cybercriminals posing as charming, well-spoken individuals connect with their targets through dating apps, social media, and messaging platforms. Using stolen photos and fabricated backstories, they skillfully manipulate victims into trusting them.
The scam follows a predictable yet highly effective pattern:
1. Building an emotional connection – Scammers bombard victims with affection and constant attention, a tactic known as love bombing.
2. Creating a sense of urgency – They soon fabricate crises—medical emergencies, legal troubles, or sudden financial hardships—to solicit money.
3. Using deepfake technology – To appear authentic, scammers conduct realistic video calls using deepfake technology and employ psychological tactics like speech hypnosis to further convince victims.
4. Demanding money through untraceable methods – Victims are coerced into sending money via wire transfers, cryptocurrency, gift cards, and online payment apps—all of which make it nearly impossible to recover stolen funds.
Flawless English, Fake Identities: Why Kerala Victims Fall for the Trap
Unlike fraudsters in other parts of India, romance scammers in Kerala are highly sophisticated, fluent in English, and free of grammatical errors. Their polished language skills lower suspicion and make victims more willing to share personal details.
Once a victim is emotionally invested, the scammer escalates the deception by requesting financial aid. They may also push for an in-person meeting, further reinforcing their fake identity and deepening the victim’s emotional involvement.
• ₹20 Crore Vanished: Kerala’s Romance Scam Epidemic
Reports indicate that over 8,000 people across Kerala have fallen prey to romance scams, collectively losing more than ₹20 crore. The median loss per victim is estimated at ₹25,000, but many have lost lakhs without realizing they were being deceived.
One victim from Trivandrum shared how they were lavished with compliments and endless attention before being tricked into sending large sums of money. Another from Kasaragod admitted that the scammer was so convincing, they never suspected a thing—until their savings were gone.
Also Read: Assam Man’s Nightmare: Blazer Return Turns Into ₹94,000 Cyber Fraud.
• Social Media: The Hunting Ground for Scammers
Investigations reveal that one in three online interactions in Kerala with a seemingly “perfect match” turns out to be a scam. Social media platforms, dating apps, and private messaging services have become breeding grounds for romance fraud.
• Protect Yourself: Key Warnings and Red Flags
– Be cautious of online relationships that progress too quickly.
– Never send money or share financial details with someone you haven’t met in person.
– Be skeptical of video calls that seem unnatural or overly polished—it could be deepfake technology at play.
– Avoid conversations where the other person is reluctant to meet in person or keeps making excuses.
– If someone you met online asks for money urgently, verify their story independently.
• Silence Fuels the Scam—Report It
Kerala’s romance scam crisis is growing because victims hesitate to come forward due to shame, guilt, or fear of judgment. Experts urge those affected to report incidents to cybercrime authorities to help prevent further exploitation.
If you or someone you know has fallen victim to an online romance scam, contact the Kerala Cyber Police or visit the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.