How to Verify a Matrimony Profile and Avoid Scams

Most people on matrimony platforms are genuine. But the few who are not can do real damage, financially and emotionally. A few simple habits protect your family.

Six checks for any proposal

1. Video call with families present. A genuine match is happy to be seen and to involve their family. Repeated excuses are a warning sign.
2. Confirm employment. Ask for the company and role, check the company exists, and once talks are serious, ask to see an offer letter or ID card.
3. Confirm education. The institution and year are easy to check, and genuine people are happy to share them.
4. Speak to their family. Talk to parents or relatives directly, not through the person alone.
5. Check their story over time. Details such as job, city and family should stay consistent from one conversation to the next.
6. Meet in person, in public, with family nearby, before any commitment.

Scams families face most often

• The stranded NRI. A match abroad says they are held at customs with a gift or cash and need a “clearance fee”.
• The emergency. A sudden medical, legal or family crisis that needs money today.
• The investment tip. A match who offers to help grow your savings through trading, crypto or a special scheme.
• The visa or job favour. An offer to arrange a visa or job abroad for a fee.
• The video-call trap. A private video call that is recorded and used for blackmail.
• The fake official. Someone posing as the platform, a bank or the police, asking for fees, OTPs or documents.

Red flags

• Any request for money, gifts, recharges or bank details.
• Pressure to keep things secret from your family.
• Declarations of love or commitment before families have met.
• Requests for OTPs, passwords, document photos or private photos.

No genuine match asks for money before marriage. If anyone does, stop, tell a family member and report them.

If something goes wrong

• In India, call the National Cyber Crime Helpline on 1930 as soon as possible, especially if money has been sent, and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in. Call 112 in an emergency.
• Report suspected fraud calls and messages through Sanchar Saathi.
• Report the profile on the matrimony platform.
• Keep screenshots, numbers and transaction details; they help investigators.

How Mafimo helps

Mafimo verifies identity with Aadhaar offline verification, has no in-app chat, and shares contact details only between two people who are both verified. Every profile has a Report button that our team reviews. See our safety page for more.