Indian Man Meets "Trading Analyst" for Optinex Markets in Dating App, Defrauded of ₹1.3M

A 41-year-old resident of Hyderabad, India, was duped out of ₹1.33 million in an investment scam that began on the dating app Happn.

The victim was approached by a woman identifying herself as “Chandhini Chowdary,” who later shifted their conversation to WhatsApp. Claiming to be a trading analyst for Optinex Markets, the woman persuaded him to invest in a fraudulent online trading platform.

After an initial deposit of ₹50,000, the victim was allowed to withdraw a small profit, which built trust. He subsequently invested ₹800,000, lured by fake profit displays. When he attempted to withdraw his funds, the platform froze his account and demanded additional payments to “unfreeze” it.

Under pressure, the victim transferred ₹531,000 and later ₹455,000 for supposed taxes, bringing his total loss to ₹13,31,000.

A complaint has been filed with the Cyber Crime wing of the Hyderabad police, and an investigation is underway.

BrokersView Reminder

Optinex Markets appears to be defunct, with its website currently inaccessible. Online records indicate that the broker was established in May this year and operated without regulatory oversight. Its short and suspicious operating history raises serious fraud concerns.

This case may involve a new identity for Optinex Markets and a newly created fraudulent trading platform under its name. BrokersView urges investors to exercise extreme caution.

Always verify the regulatory status of any trading platform before investing, especially when the recommendation originates from a contact on a dating or social app.

If you suspect a website is fraudulent or have fallen victim to a financial scam, you can Submit a Complaint to BrokersView.