I was defrauded by a matrimonial site profile based in Kolkata; can I file a case?
LE Asked by Legal Expert from India
Legal Information
Below is a comprehensive legal analysis based on Indian law for your question.
Matrimonial site fraud is prosecuted under Sections 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for cheating and Section 66D of the IT Act for cheating by personation. File an FIR at the Kolkata cyber police station against the profile owner and consider a complaint against the platform under the IT Rules, 2021 for failing to verify the user. The intermediaries are expected to perform KYC and remove fake profiles within 24 hours of a complaint. The Calcutta High Court can direct the platform to disclose the profile's KYC details to the investigating officer for tracing the accused. West Bengal Premises Tenancy Act 1997 may add offences of dowry demand or extortion if money was extracted on matrimonial pretexts. Preserve the chat logs, payment receipts and profile screenshots before the platform deletes them. Approach the women's helpline in Kolkata if the fraud also involved sexual or financial exploitation.
Disclaimer: AI-generated for educational purposes only. Does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.