Fraud Alert & Safety Guide
Matrimonial fraud follows a pattern: a match who will not video call, moves the conversation off the platform within days, and eventually asks for money. SaathiSutra never asks members for money, an OTP or a password. This guide sets out the four scams families report to us, the warning signs to stop on, and how to report a profile.
Important Notice
- NEVER send money to unknown members. Pay for subscriptions only through the official checkout; never share passwords or OTPs.
- Our team communicates only through verified channels.
- Email or phone verification confirms access to that channel, not identity or safety.
- Report suspicious activity immediately to our support team.
- Real members are willing to video call and meet safely.
Common Scams
Know What to Look For
Romance Scams
Scammers build fake relationships and request money for emergencies, travel, or investments.
Common Red Flags:
- • Wants to move off platform quickly
- • Avoids video calls or meetings
- • Asks for money urgently
- • Too perfect profile with unrealistic photos
- • Story keeps changing
Financial Fraud
Requests for money through various pretexts like business opportunities or personal crises.
Common Red Flags:
- • Wants to invest in a business together
- • Claims family emergency
- • Asks for loan to travel
- • Offers unusual investment returns
- • Uses sob stories for money
Identity Theft
Fraudsters use fake identities or stolen photos to deceive members.
Common Red Flags:
- • Photos seem too professional or staged
- • Reverse image search shows photos used elsewhere
- • Inconsistent personal information
- • Claims to be foreign with language inconsistencies
- • Multiple profiles with similar information
Phishing & Account Hacking
Scammers trick you into sharing passwords or clicking malicious links.
Common Red Flags:
- • Links to external websites
- • Emails asking to confirm password
- • Messages with suspicious attachments
- • Requests to download security software
- • Unusual login attempts on your account
Stop Contact Immediately If You Notice:
Refusing to video chat or meet in person
Asking personal questions to extract information
Requesting money in any form
Excessive flattery too quickly
Avoiding questions about themselves
Pushing for quick commitment or secrecy
Poor grammar and spelling despite claiming education
Discrepancies in stories and timeline
Reluctance to verify identity
Asking you to keep the relationship secret
Prevention Tips
Protect Yourself
Verify Profiles
Check identity independently; an email or phone check does not prove identity. Reverse search profile photos. Meet in safe, public places.
Protect Personal Information
Never share financial details, passwords, or sensitive documents. Be cautious about sharing address initially.
Trust Your Instincts
If something feels wrong, it probably is. Don't ignore red flags just because you're interested.
Take Time
Good relationships develop over time. Anyone pushing for commitment quickly is suspicious.
Video Call First
Always video chat before meeting in person. Real people are willing to do this.
Tell Someone
Share your dating activities with trusted friends or family. Keep them updated on plans.
Use Secure Payment
Never send money via untraceable methods. Always use official payment channels.
Check References
Ask mutual connections about them. Genuine members won't mind being verified through networks.
Step-by-Step Process
Identify the Issue
Notice suspicious activity or fraudulent behavior on the platform.
Document Evidence
Take screenshots of conversations, profile information, and suspicious messages.
Report on SaathiSutra
Use the "Report" button on their profile or contact our support team.
Follow Up
Track your complaint with SaathiSutra and law enforcement. Provide additional info if requested.
Matrimonial Fraud: Common Questions
What are the warning signs of matrimonial fraud?
The same few signs come up in almost every case families report to us: refusing to video call or meet, moving the conversation off the platform to WhatsApp within a day or two, asking for money for a medical emergency, a visa, customs clearance or an investment, photographs that look professionally shot, and a story that changes between conversations. Any one of these can be innocent. Two of them together is a reason to stop and verify before you reply again.
How can I tell if a matrimonial profile is fake?
Ask for a video call early, because a genuine family will agree to one. Run a reverse image search on the photographs — stolen photos usually turn up on other profiles or on stock photo sites. Check that the details hold together across conversations: gotra, ancestral village, the school or workplace the profile names. And do not let the platform stand in for any of this: SaathiSutra confirms an email address and nothing more, so the checks in this list are the only ones that have been made.
Will SaathiSutra ever ask me for money, an OTP or my password?
No. Payment happens only through the plans published on our pricing page, and only inside the site. Nobody from SaathiSutra will ask for your password, an OTP, your bank or UPI details, or a transfer to a personal account — not on a call, not on WhatsApp, not by email. Anyone who does is not from SaathiSutra, whatever name shows on your screen.
What should I do if I have already sent money to someone I met on a matrimonial site?
Report it the same day. In India, financial cyber fraud is reported on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at cybercrime.gov.in or on the 1930 helpline, and the sooner a transaction is reported the better the chance your bank can stop it. Tell your bank as well, file an FIR with the local police, and report the profile to us so the account is blocked and the messages are preserved as evidence.
Is it safe to share my photographs and phone number?
Photographs can be locked so that only members whose interest you have accepted are able to see them, and that is worth doing before you share anything more widely. Keep your phone number, home address and workplace out of the profile text itself and share them only after a video call, once you are comfortable. Identity documents and financial details should never be shared with another member at all.
What happens after I report a profile on SaathiSutra?
The reported profile is blocked from contacting you straight away. Our safety team reviews every report on the next working day, and sooner if you call the support number, and removes the account when the report holds up. Screenshots make that decision faster, so send whatever you have along with the report.
Suspicious Activity? Report It Now
You can report a profile at any hour and it is blocked from contacting you straight away. Our safety team reviews every report on the next working day, and sooner if you call.
Our Commitment to Your Safety
Use the profile report control or contact support to flag suspicious activity. Check identity independently and never send money to unknown members.
Verification System: Email confirmation establishes inbox access only. An approved phone check establishes number access only. Neither is a government ID check.
Monitoring & Detection: Report suspicious profiles using the report control. You can also block a member to prevent further contact.
Rapid Response: Contact support with the profile reference and a description of the concern. Do not include passwords, OTPs or unnecessary identity documents.
Legal Action: If money has been lost or threats have been made, contact the appropriate authorities and preserve relevant evidence.
Education: We provide ongoing educational resources to help members protect themselves from fraud.
Remember: A genuine relationship is built on trust, honesty, and time. Anyone rushing you or requesting money is not the person you're looking for. When in doubt, report it. Our team is here to help.