Bengaluru’s private detective agencies are experiencing a sharp rise in pre-marital background checks, with inquiries now extending to prospective in-laws. Agencies report a 10%-20% annual increase, with some like Venus Detectives handling 2-3 cases daily, a significant jump from just a few weekly before 2022.

Cases often uncover startling truths. A west Bengaluru agency discovered a groom secretly vacationing with another woman while engaged. Cheating is rampant, with individuals maintaining multiple relationships even during marriage talks. Technology adds complexity as suitors use AI to manipulate voices and profiles, sometimes to commit fraud.

Bengaluru, with its large migrant population, tops the charts for such checks. Naman Jain of Sleuths India Consultancy attributes this to families’ suspicions about independent lifestyles, which prove valid in 90% of cases. Families investigate addictions, past relationships, financial stability, and even sexual orientation.

Gender-specific concerns persist. Boys’ families probe education and character, while girls’ families focus on income and property. Misrepresentation is common: men exaggerate salaries and qualifications, while women may hide past engagements or mood disorders.

Costs for these services range from ₹35,000 to ₹15 lakh, with middle-class to ultra-wealthy families as primary clients. Investigations often rely on open-source intelligence from social networks, neighbors, and public records.

Despite suspicions, societal views are shifting. Families increasingly overlook past relationships, emphasizing whether the individual has moved on. Detectives, however, stress early verification to avoid last-minute surprises.