Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Apr 11: A young man, who used to create fake profiles in dating websites and collect money from young boys, was arrested by the police personnel of city crime branch's cyber crime station here.

The arrested accused happens to be Sagar Rao (25), son of Suresh Rao, resident of Immadihalli Main Road, Vinayaka Layout, Whitefield here. He used to look for beautiful-looking girls, and post their photos to fake profiles created by him in the dating website. Once the people got interested, he used to invite them for dating. If they agreed, he used to seek advance payment and then cheat them.

The police have learnt that Rao, a BCom degree holder, is unemployed. He resorted to this trick to make fast buck.

Initially, Sagar, it is gathered, used to take people for a ride through the website, Freedating.com. He also has fleeced some customers through dating apps, the police claim.  He usually created accounts in the names of north Indian girls.  Boys who newly visited this site, used to get attracted towards beautiful girls whose photos he posted, and began to chat. He used to collect their cellphone numbers and begin to chat on WhatsApp. He never  received direct calls and told the customers to restrict their communications to chatting. When the young men demanded to meet personally,he used to collect advance amount, and then block their numbers.

Popular names in which Sagar Rao transacted happened to be Shilpa, Sonia Jain, and Maneesha Jain. It is said that by experience he knew that having names of north Indian girls makes it easier to find preys locally. It is learnt that initially he had been cheated once by a dating website after getting attracted by the girl in the photograph. He encashed this experience to make money by beginning to fake himself as girl in the dating website.

On an average, 20 percent of the people who tried the website used to fall prey to his trick and send money. Once the money was received, Sagar either blocked their number of changed sim card. None had filed official complaint about this issue so far, fearing to lose family reputation. But a person recently complained that his son had been cheated of Rs 71,000. The police who began investigation, zeroed in on the culprit.

The police have found that Sagar has a girl friend, to whom he has gifted several costly presents. He had lied to her that he works for a consultancy company.

Officials said that these incidents happen routinely and those who lose money normally do not file formal complaint because of fear of losing their reputation. They have advised people of being doubly careful not to fall prey to such tricks.