One of the most vicious examples of dowry today is in India, with the practice of bride burning. Because women sold by dowry become members of her husband’s family, and there is a strong prejudice against remarriage for women, but not men, as soon as the groom’s family gets the dowry, one of them pours gasoline on the bride and sets her on fire.
Then their son can get remarried, and get another dowry.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bride_burning
If the Indian government got as serious about punishing bride burning as the British government had about Sati, it wouldn't be a problem.
"This burning of widows is your custom; prepare the funeral pile. But my nation has also a custom. When men burn women alive we hang them, and confiscate all their property. -- General Charles Napier