Fake Online Partner Scams via bKash
How fraudsters posing as romantic partners drain Bangladeshi victims through bKash mobile money requests, exploiting trust built over social media.
Part of: Fake Online Partners
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
In Bangladesh and among the Bangladeshi diaspora, fake online partners specifically exploit bKash because it is the most accessible financial tool for millions of people. A fraudster who has built a convincing romantic persona over Facebook or WhatsApp can make a bKash send request feel like a natural act of care for a partner in difficulty — culturally normalised by the expectation of financial reciprocity within close relationships.
The scammer's requests begin small and escalate. Each bKash transfer feels individually manageable, but the cumulative total can represent months of earnings. Operators often target victims in rural areas where financial literacy around mobile-money fraud is lower.
How this scam works on bKash
The fake partner typically contacts the victim through Facebook groups, Imo, or WhatsApp and cultivates a relationship over weeks. Requests for bKash are framed around medical emergencies, family crises, or business needs. The victim sends to a personal bKash number, often a different number from the one used for communication.
After each payment, a new crisis emerges. The scammer may use multiple personas operating in parallel, identifying which victims are most responsive. Pressure is applied through emotional appeals — claims that the partner will lose a job, face family dishonour, or become seriously ill without financial help.
In some cases the relationship is maintained for months before a large single bKash request is made, preceded by a convincing story of an imminent opportunity that requires immediate funds.
Common red flags
- A romantic partner you have never met in person asks for bKash transfers
- Requests directed to a bKash number in a different name than the person you are messaging
- Each crisis resolves only to be replaced by a new, larger one
- Emotional pressure and claims of love timed precisely with each financial request
- The partner refuses or is always unable to video call with verifiable real-time content
- Requests for large round-number taka amounts to a personal rather than merchant bKash account
How to protect yourself
- Verify the identity of any online partner through a live, unscripted video call before sending any bKash payment
- Treat any request for bKash from an online-only contact as a significant red flag
- Speak to a trusted family member or friend before making any mobile-money transfer to an online contact
- Report the bKash number to bKash customer service at 16247
- Report to the Bangladesh police cybercrime unit if you have transferred money
How to report it
- Report the fraudulent bKash number to bKash via hotline 16247 or the in-app help feature
- File a complaint at the nearest police station or via the Bangladesh Cyber Police Center
- Report the social media profile used to the relevant platform's trust-and-safety team
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify that an online romantic partner is genuine before sending bKash?
Request a live video call where the person holds up a handwritten note with today's date and your name. Reverse-image search their profile photos. Ask specific questions about local Bangladeshi geography or current events they should know. Anyone genuinely interested in you will accommodate these verification steps; a scammer will make excuses.