Bengaluru: A 29-year-old software engineer from Bengaluru has alleged that she was cheated of Rs 1.53 crore by a man who promised to marry her and lured her into a fraudulent investment scheme, only for her to later discover that he was already married and that his family members were complicit in the deception. The incident has once again highlighted the growing misuse of matrimonial platforms for financial frauds.
The victim, Navya Shree, a resident of Whitefield, has lodged a complaint stating that she was cheated by Vijay Raj Gowda alias Vijeth B, who she met through a matrimonial website in March 2024. Based on her complaint, the police have registered a case of cheating, criminal conspiracy and criminal intimidation against Vijay, his wife and his father. Further investigation is currently underway.
Matrimonial meeting that turned into a fraud
According to the First Information Report (FIR), Navya Shree met Vijay Raj Gowda through the Okkaliga matrimonial platform. Vijay allegedly introduced himself as a successful businessman and claimed to be the owner of VRG Enterprises. He reportedly told her that he owned stone crushers, lorries, land and residential properties in upscale areas such as Rajajinagar and Sadashivanagar in Bengaluru.
To strengthen his claims, Vijay allegedly shared documents, including a copy of a bail order related to a 2019 Enforcement Directorate (ED) case, and claimed that his total assets were worth Rs 715 crore. The complainant stated that these representations created a sense of trust and credibility, leading her to believe his claims and agree to the proposed marriage.
Vijay also allegedly informed Navya Shree that his family was aware of their relationship and supportive of their decision to get married.
Initial borrowing and gradual escalation
The alleged cheating began in April 2024. On April 4, Vijay reportedly told Navya Shree that he was facing a temporary banking issue and borrowed Rs 15,000 from her through a PhonePe transaction. Soon after, he began persuading her to lend more money, citing business requirements.
According to the complaint, Vijay convinced Navya Shree to take personal loans and also to borrow money from her friends, promising high returns and claiming that they were investing together in his business ventures. Over time, the amounts escalated significantly.
Vijay later introduced his family members to the victim. He allegedly brought his father, Krishnappa B Gowda alias Bore Gowda U J, mother Netravathi K Gowda and a woman introduced as his sister, Sushideepa K Gowda alias Soumya, to meet Navya Shree at the Kengeri Metro Station.
The accused’s father reportedly claimed that he was a retired tahsildar and assured the victim that all borrowed money would be returned. Cheques issued in the name of VRG Enterprises were allegedly shown as proof of financial backing.
Friends and parents drawn into the scheme
As the trust deepened, Vijay allegedly induced Navya Shree’s friends to invest money. As per the FIR, one friend invested Rs 66 lakh, while another invested Rs 23 lakh over several transactions.
When repayment was demanded, Vijay allegedly claimed that his bank accounts had been frozen due to a pending court case. He reportedly produced copies of court orders to support this claim. He also approached Navya Shree’s parents and showed them the same documents, convincing them of the genuineness of his situation.
Between December 2024 and February 2025, Navya Shree’s father allegedly gave Rs 10.5 lakh, while her mother reportedly handed over Rs 18 lakh, which included a portion of her retirement savings. In addition, Vijay allegedly obtained Rs 10 lakh by pledging Navya Shree’s jewellery and Rs 5 lakh from her siblings.
Shocking revelation at accused’s home
The alleged fraud came to light when Navya Shree visited Vijay’s house to demand repayment. She then discovered that Vijay was already married and had a child. The woman introduced earlier as his sister was, in fact, his wife, and the couple had been married for nearly three years.
In her complaint, Navya Shree alleged that Vijay, his wife and his father acted in collusion to cheat her and her family. She also claimed that she and her friends received death threats when they began pressing for the return of the money.
Financial loss and police action
The complainant stated that Vijay collected a total of Rs 1,75,66,890 through multiple bank accounts. Of this amount, only Rs 22,51,800 was returned, leaving an unpaid balance of Rs 1,53,15,090.
Based on the complaint, the police have registered a case under relevant sections related to cheating, criminal conspiracy and intimidation. Officials said they are examining bank transactions, property claims and the role of each accused family member in the alleged fraud.
Conclusion
The case has raised serious concerns about financial frauds carried out under the guise of marriage proposals on matrimonial platforms. Police officials have urged citizens to exercise caution, verify claims independently and avoid transferring large sums of money based solely on personal assurances. The investigation is ongoing, and further legal action will depend on the evidence gathered.