Staying safe on matrimony sites and apps
The vast majority of people on matrimony sites are genuine. But matrimony fraud is real, and it follows a few well-known patterns. Knowing them is the best protection.
The golden rule
Never send money, gifts, bank details, card numbers or OTPs to someone you have not met in person - for any reason. Almost every matrimony scam ends with a request for money. A genuine match will never ask.
The common scams
- The overseas professional: a doctor, engineer or officer "posted abroad" builds a close relationship over weeks, always with a reason not to video call.
- The customs gift: they send you an expensive gift; a "customs officer" then calls asking for a fee to release it.
- The emergency: a sudden accident, hospital bill, frozen account or legal problem - and a request for urgent help.
- The investment: an opportunity in crypto or trading that they have "already made money on", with a website to show you.
- The visa or job: money for your visa, ticket or a job abroad.
- The hidden marriage: a person who is already married. Ask directly, and check through family.
Warning signs
- Avoids video calls, or the camera "never works".
- Wants to move quickly from the app to WhatsApp or Telegram.
- Professes strong feelings very early.
- Details that do not add up - job, education, location, photos that look like a model's.
- Asks to keep the relationship secret from your family.
- Any mention of money, however small or however sad the story.
Good habits
- Video call before meeting, and meet in person - with family involved - before any commitment.
- Keep conversations on the app until you trust the person; that is where reporting works.
- Check what you can: employer, education, family. Ask mutual contacts.
- Share your phone number and address only when you are ready - and never your OTPs, PINs or passwords.
- Meet in public and tell someone where you are going (see our first meeting guide).
If it has happened to you
- Stop all payments and contact your bank immediately to try to freeze or reverse the transfer.
- Call 1930, the national cyber crime helpline, or report at cybercrime.gov.in - as fast as possible; speed matters for recovering money.
- Keep every record: profiles, chats, numbers, payment receipts.
- Report the profile on the matrimony site so others are protected.
- You are not to blame. These are organised frauds that target kind, trusting people.
How MilanKnot protects members
- Every photo is checked before anyone sees it, and members can verify their photos with a live selfie and their identity and education through DigiLocker. The profile shows exactly what was verified - and what was not.
- Phone numbers stay hidden until both people agree to share them, and phone numbers, email addresses, social media handles and links are blocked in chat until then - so a scammer cannot rush you off the app.
- Calls happen inside the app, without exchanging numbers, and are recorded for safety (deleted after seven days unless reported).
- Report and block are on every profile, chat and call, and our team reviews every report.
Even with all of this, please follow the golden rule. Verification shows a person is who they say they are; it cannot show what they intend.
Questions families ask
How do I know if a matrimony profile is fake?
Warning signs include refusing video calls, moving quickly to WhatsApp, strong feelings very early, details that do not add up, and any request for money. Verified photos and ID help, but always video call and meet in person.
What should I do if I was cheated on a matrimony site?
Contact your bank immediately, call the cyber crime helpline 1930 or report at cybercrime.gov.in, keep all records, and report the profile.
Does MilanKnot verify profiles?
Every photo is checked; members can verify their photos with a live selfie and their ID and education through DigiLocker, and each profile shows exactly what has been verified.