Divorcees and widows beware! With his fake profiles posted on popular matrimonial sites, 26-year-old Aamir Khan targeted divorcees and widows and was able to cheat many of them in the last two years.
The latest victim was a Chennai-based BPO worker who complained to the city cyber crime officials that Khan cheated her and stole her money as well.
According to the police, Khan, a divorcee himself, used to introduce himself as a senior professional in an IT firm or employee of a reputed corporate house with a hefty monthly package.
A senior cyber crime official told Deccan Chronicle, “We are collecting more details from Khan on the number of women he cheated.
Every year, we receive at least five complaints about cheating through matrimonial sites. All details posted on the site might not be true. The applicants should check the authenticity of the profiles.”
The officer said that Chakravarthy from Villupuram was recently arrested for cheating 16 women via matrimonial sites.
The cyber crime department has decided to conduct awareness camps in city colleges in the coming months. “We organised a series of awareness events in trade fairs, exhibitions and many public places last year.
We will arrange sessions in city colleges now about fake profiles on matrimonial sites. It’s high time net users were aware of the possible dangers in the virtual world,” said the official.
Mr S.N. Ravichandran of Cyber Society of India Forum said, “There was a recent incident in Erode where a miscreant read through the profile of a groom on a matrimonial site and checked out his likes and dislikes on his facebook page.
He then approached the youth’s parents, claiming to be a priest, with ‘supernatural knowledge’ about their son.
He convinced them that they should immediately perform a pooja for their son’s well-being. When the parents were engaged in the pooja, the fake priest stole all the valuables from the house and fled.”
“Matrimonial site users should first cross-check the address, the firm where the person is employed and ensure that the details are genuine by contacting his/her family,” he cautioned.
Rules of engagement by bharathmatrimony
Jumping the gun while surfing for potential life partners on matrimonial websites, is bound to land you in a sticky situation.
As with any other contact made through a chatroom or social networking website, a netizen should exercise caution before getting personal with strangers they come across on matrimonial sites.
“We have nearly three lakh people registering on our website every month. While our staff can only make the basic enquiries and verify the details posted by users over telephone, we cannot keep track of every profile,” says Murugavel Janakiraman, CEO and founder of Bharathmatrimony.com. He lays down three golden rules for women registered on any matrimonial website.
Rule #1 Cut the Cash
“There should be absolutely no exchange of money before marriage,” says Mr Murugavel. “The person may sound very nice, he may have even promised to marry you..
But the minute he asks you for money, or a loan, it is a clear sign that he is a conman,” stresses Mr Murugavel, urging women not to fall for common excuses such as “I am coming from the US and I lost my wallet at the airport, please send me some money,” or “My mother is hospitalized, I need some cash urgently”
Rule#2—No hanky-panky
“A man and woman who get acquainted through a matrimonial site should not indulge in a physical relationship before marriage,” says Mr Murugavel, pointing out that sticking to traditional values of abstinence until your wedding night, may save a lot of pain.
“No matter how decent or genuine the prospective groom may be, there is no need to start getting physical. If the man runs away or breaks off the wedding, the woman will be left in the lurch, feeling violated and cheated,” he warns.
Rule# 3—Meet the parents
“Get the family involved, keep your parents informed about your every move,” Mr Murugavel says.
In many of the cases reported, the victims have gone ahead and met the ‘bridegrooms’ by themselves, started affairs with them or given them money, without their parents’ knowledge or approval.
“While a matrimonial service or website is just the first touchpoint, it is best if the families continue the process of ‘fixing’ the wedding, traditionally. Like in the old days, the parents could meet first and talk it over, before taking the next step. The family is the best security against con artists,” he advises.
Getting married the arranged way is safer
The traditional practice of arranging marriages, in which elders in the family play a major role, is time tested in cementing the bondage.
But for the draconian greed for dowry, arranged marriage is far too safe and does not fix the onus on any individual but makes it a collective responsibility at crisis time, say those into arranged marriage for decades.
“The age-old practice of enquiring about the background of the prosperous bride or groom to be, by visiting their offices or houses, enables one to ascertain the character of the suitable boy or girl and also their parents,” says Mohan, who has recently married off his teacher son to a teacher bride.
But then there is a scientific element to arranged marriages. The horoscopes of the bride or groom help to ascertain the matrimonial compatibility and this is verified by the parents of both the sides, he says.
“Well, so long as the horoscopes are not tampered before tallying, relationships will not turn sour in post-married life,” he adds.
“Finding a suitable ‘match’ for the ‘girl’ or ‘boy’ is not an easy task. Though astrological compatibility is also a must, enquiries and conversation during the official ‘seeing’ of the ‘girl’ in her parents’ presence, helps to understand the persons far better,” says J. Subrahmanyam and adds that arranged marriages continue to thrive even today.
“Though I am physically handicapped, my mumbling that the girl whom I have ‘seen’ had some patches on her face, was overheard by her father. Just about a fortnight before my marriage, he had ensured his daughter undergo plastic surgery, much to my surprise,” says N. Ravi, president of Tamil Nadu Differently Abled Welfare Association.
Despite the changing lifestyles, arranged marriages continue to hold good, he says and adds that “arranged marriage is an institution surviving on love and trust”.
Love marriages that last longer hinge upon the patronage from the parents.
Source: www.asianage.com
Katy Perry ditches the kitsch and goes Goth as she sings about divorce in brooding new video for Wide Awake - Daily Mail
|
Since she leaped to fame in 2008, Katy Perry has been known for her sunny disposition and colourful wardrobe.
But as she addresses her divorce from Russell Brand in the song Wide Awake, the tone of new video is decidedly gloomy.
In contrast to her pink and blue wigs, this time the singer looks brooding in a dark purple wig, purple dress and cape teamed with dramatic make-up.
Scroll down to watch the video
Going to the dark side: Katy Perry goes Gothic in the video for her new single Wide Awake
Gloomy: Katy's dark make-up and purple hair is a change for her usual bright style
The lyrics of the song suggest Katy, 27, regrets moving so fast - she and Russell famously got engaged after just three months of dating and married after just a year together.
However, their long-distance marriage soon took its toll and the couple split in December 2011 after just 14 months of marriage.
Katy sings: 'I’m wide awake. I was in the dark, I was falling hard with an open heart. How did I read the stars so wrong. I was dreaming for so long. I wish I knew then what I know now. I wouldn’t dive in, I wouldn’t bow down.'
Crash to reality: Katy admitted the song was a 'dose of reality' after being high for so long
Trapped in the darkness: Katy is stuck in a labyrinth with no escape
The video starts with Katy wrapping the promo for California Gurls - where she sits on a white cloud wearing a pink wig.
However, as she sits in her dressing room, things quickly turn dark and mystical.
Soon the singer is wondering through a gloomy labyrinth - perhaps a metaphor for feeling lost and unable to see a way out in her marriage.
Temptation: Katy is drawn to a succulent strawberry, which turns out to be poisoned
Seeing double: Katy comes face-to-face with her younger self
She is then accompanied by her younger self and is confronted with a group of paparazzi.
The negative theme continues as Katy is seen slumped in a wheelchair being pushed by her younger self, before being confronted by two men wearing bull's heads.
After they finally escape the labyrinth, everything becomes colourful and bright again and Katy finds a handsome prince waiting for her.
Need to find a way out: Katy is desperate to escape from the labyrinth of her mind
Bid for freedom: After her younger self scares away two guards by the exit, the singer makes a dash for it
However, after initially smiling at him, she then punches him in the face, suggesting she is happy with her single status.
The video ends on a happier note with Katy taking to the stage to perform in concert back in her usual kitsch clothing.
Everything is looking rosy: The two Katys are relieved to have finally escaped
A fairytale ending? Katy is greeted by a handsome prince...
... but punches him in the face: Katy shows her fans she doesn't need a man
Explaining the video, Katy told MTV News: This song in particular is a dose of reality. It's kind of like coming down from a high.
'You've been on cloud nine for so long, and it can't always be so sweet and sometimes you need to realise that, and you have to pick yourself up and move forward and face the facts of life and know that this is just a lesson you learn and you're stronger because of it.'
Oops! Katy revealed a bit too much in her nude bodysuit at the MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto, Canada, earlier this week
Covering up: But Katy kept her head down as she jetted out of Canada the next day
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
'Singles spend more time on matrimonial sites than social networking sites' - Times of India
KOLKATA: Singles in search for a match tend to spend more time on matrimonial sites than social networking sites, a survey conducted by a leading India-based matrimonial portal stated on Tuesday.
Two in every three singles were found to be spending more time to find a partner on a dedicated marriage portal than try their luck in social networking sites.
The survey was conducted to gauge the growing popularity of the social networking sites and its impact on the matrimonial sector. The findings of the survey showcase that even though the social networking sites are gaining momentum, when it comes to searching for a partner, matrimonial sites are considered reliable and trustworthy by singles, and hence, they tend to visit these sites more often through the day.
The survey also highlights the importance singles give to social networking sites during partner search. The survey findings reveal that 31% singles agreed to be searching for the profile of their potential partner immediately after they receive expression of interest. While, 27% have denied checking the potential/short-listed partner's profile till they finalizes someone. One in every four singles add each other on social networking sites post their chat on the marriage portal's messenger and the rest 17% do so after their first meeting.
This trend of visiting the potential partner's profile on social networking sites like Facebook is mostly noticed amongst the male respondents (74%) than women respondents (63%). Women respondents have said they mostly feel the social networking sites are meant for friends, and hence, they refrain from adding potential partners to their social network.
But members who initially meet through matrimonial websites tend to check potential partners profile on social networking sites to know common interests, friends and hobbies they might have but do not look for a match through these sites.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Health Care Reform Law Wouldn't Cover Millions Even If It Passes - Huffington Post
One of the biggest misconceptions about President Obama's health care overhaul isn't who the law will cover, but rather who it won't.
If it survives Supreme court scrutiny, the landmark overhaul will expand coverage to about 30 million uninsured people, according to government figures. But an estimated 26 million Americans will remain without coverage — a population that's roughly the size of Texas and includes illegal immigrants and those who can't afford to pay out-of-pocket for health insurance.
"Many people think that this health care law is going to cover everyone, and it's not," says Nicole Lamoureux, executive director of the Alexandria, Va.-based National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics, which represents about 1,200 clinics nationally.
To be sure, it's estimated that the Affordable Care Act would greatly increase the number of insured Americans. The law has a provision that requires most Americans to be insured or face a tax penalty. It also calls for an expansion of Medicaid, a government-funded program that covers the health care costs of low-income and disabled Americans. Additionally, starting in 2014, there will be tax credits to help middle-class Americans buy coverage.
The Supreme Court is expected to hand down a decision this month on whether to uphold the law completely or strike down parts or all of it. If it survives, about 93 percent of all non-elderly, legal U.S. residents will be covered by 2016. That's up from 82 percent this year.
Still, millions of illegal immigrants won't qualify for coverage. This population will account for roughly 26 percent of those who will remain uninsured, according to Urban Institute, a nonpartisan think tank.
And many legal U.S. residents will go without insurance, too. About 36 percent of the population that remains uninsured will qualify for Medicaid but won't sign up for various reasons. Others likely will make too much money to qualify for assistance but be unable to afford coverage.
Here's a look at some of the groups that will likely remain uninsured if the law survives:
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
More than 11 million unauthorized immigrants live in the United States, according to the Pew Hispanic Center, a nonpartisan research center. That amounts to nearly 4 percent of the total population. But there are no provisions that address illegal immigrants in the health care law.
They won't be able to sign up for Medicaid. They won't be eligible for the tax credits to help buy coverage. And they won't be able to use online marketplaces that the government will set up in order for people to get coverage in a process that's similar to buying plane tickets on travel web sites. Those online exchanges, much like the tax credits, will require proof of citizenship.
"They will still need to find alternative ways to seek care because nothing in the law really expands coverage and affordable coverage options for undocumented immigrants," says Sonal Ambegaokar, a health policy attorney with the National Immigration Law Center in Los Angeles.
The topic is a politically divisive issue. On one side, there are people who say that the government should provide health care for all U.S. residents — legal or not. The other side contends that doing so could take valuable resources away from U.S. citizens.
"Because of the limited supply of health care, we're almost in a sociological triage," says Bob Dane, spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, a national group that calls for stricter immigration laws. "It begs the question, 'Who do we serve, who do we serve first and who is not entitled?'"
Researchers have found that immigrants tend to use the health care system less than legal residents. Illegal immigrants, in particular, tend to avoid using the health care system until they have to, favoring home remedies first or making cash payments to providers when they need care. That population also is younger, so it generally has fewer health care needs, says Timothy Waidmann, a researcher with Urban Institute.
The think tank, using federal government survey data, estimates that illegal immigrants accounted for an estimated $18 billion of the $1.4 trillion spent on health care in the United States in 2007. That adds up to less than 2 percent of total spending.
Some say excluding illegal immigrants from the overhaul will keep some legal residents uninsured, too. Ambegaokar, the Los Angeles attorney, points to parents who are illegal immigrants but have children who are legal citizens because they were born in the United States.
If the parents are not eligible, they may not know that their kids qualify. And in other instances, if one child is legal and the other is not, the parents may decide not to sign up either to avoid playing favorites.
"The goal is to enroll everybody who is eligible," Ambegaokar says. "But when you make systems complicated and require proof of ID, you're going to inevitably keep out people who should be in."
LOST IN TRANSLATION
Medicaid, which currently covers more than 60 million people, is expected to add about 17 million more people to its program by 2016 if the law is upheld, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which researches budgetary issues for Congress.
But people are still expected to fall through the cracks. That's because the requirements and process for signing up for Medicaid can be confusing. And while the overhaul aims to make the process easier, it won't smooth out all the wrinkles.
The problem? Many people don't realize that they qualify for coverage. And that likely will still be the case, albeit to a lesser extent, after Medicaid expands.
Coverage depends on how someone's income stacks up to federal poverty guidelines, which can be obscure to the average person. Plus, because income can fluctuate, someone could qualify one year but not the next.
"Regardless of how much outreach you do ... you're never going to get perfect enrollment," Matthew Buettgens, another Urban Institute researcher, says.
Staying enrolled can be another hurdle. Medicaid recipients have to re-enroll, sometimes more than once a year. They can be dropped if they miss deadlines, submit incomplete forms or if paperwork doesn't catch up with them after they move — something poor families tend to do more frequently than the average American household
Leeanna Herman learned this when an unexpected $300 doctor bill arrived in the mail. The Bakersfield, Calif., resident was pregnant and unemployed and didn't know her government-funded health coverage had lapsed.
"I was freaking out," says Herman, 23, who went a month without coverage because she missed the deadline to re-enroll. "How do you expect me to pay that?'"
Experts say online applications and electronic verification of income levels and other things will make this process easier. But deadlines will still matter and some people don't have easy access to the Internet. And there will still be some people who simply won't enroll.
"There will always be that segment that says, 'Aw, the heck with it, I will just wait until I get sick and go to the ER,'" says Stephen Schilling, CEO of Clinica Sierra Vista, a nonprofit that has a network of 27 community health centers in California.
Schilling expects to still see a lot of uninsured patients at the nonprofit group's health centers even if the law is upheld. The center sits in an agricultural area in California's San Joaquin Valley, populated with migrant workers and saddled with an unemployment rate of around 15 percent.
It cares for about 60,000 uninsured people annually, thanks in part to grants and a sliding fee scale for patients based on their family size and income. Schilling says he still expects between 20,000 and 40,000 uninsured patients if the overhaul is implemented.
LIVING IN THE GAP
The overhaul calls for tax credits to help middle-class Americans buy coverage. But some people who make too much money to qualify for the tax credits may have a hard time finding an affordable option for private health insurance
The subsidies can pay a large chunk of the insurance bill. For instance, a 40-year-old person who makes $50,000 in 2014 and needs coverage for a family of four might receive a government tax credit of more than $8,000.
That would cover more than 70 percent of the premium, or the cost of coverage, according to a subsidy calculator on the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation's website. Of course, that estimate depends on the type of coverage the person choses, where they live and whether they can get coverage through work.
But the tax credits will go to people with incomes up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level, or $44,680 for an individual this year. People just above that level may have a hard time finding affordable health insurance.
If the health care law is upheld, Angela Agnew Laws worries that she might remain uninsured like she has been for the past eight years.
Laws, who lives in Leesburg, Va., runs a small business that cleans and maintains commercial buildings. She hopes her income will climb to about $60,000 by 2014, which would be too high for tax credit help.
A plan that offers more than just basic protection against big medical expenses could cost as much as $10,000 annually for Laws. She could find less extensive coverage for a lower premium, but that may only save about $1,000.
Laws, 58, figures that she'll remain uninsured if she can't find an affordable coverage option that fits a monthly budget already crammed with payments of $1,203 for rent $530 toward her car.
"It's a scary prospect for me," she says.
Source: www.huffingtonpost.com
Yawn...
- Simone, Amsterdam, NL, 19/6/2012 13:36
Report abuse