Post by : Meena Ariff

A major matrimonial fraud has surfaced in Bengaluru, exposing how a 29-year-old software engineer was allegedly cheated of more than Rs 1.52 crore by a man she met on a matrimonial website. The accused, who posed as a wealthy businessman with massive assets, is now facing serious charges along with his family members.

The victim, Navya Shree, a resident of Whitefield, came in contact with Vijay Raj Gowda, also known as Vijeth B, in March 2024 through an Okkaliga matrimony platform. Vijay reportedly presented himself as the owner of VRG Enterprises and claimed to have business interests in crushers, lorries, land parcels and premium residential properties in areas like Rajajinagar and Sadashivanagar. He further claimed that his total assets were worth Rs 715 crore.

To gain Navya’s trust, Vijay allegedly shared documents related to a 2019 Enforcement Directorate case, including a bail order, and portrayed himself as a powerful businessman entangled in legal battles due to his wealth. He promised to marry Navya and claimed that his family had agreed to the match.

The alleged fraud began in early April when Vijay asked Navya for Rs 15,000 through a digital payment app, citing a temporary bank issue. Soon after, he convinced her to invest money in his business and persuaded her to take loans and borrow funds from friends, promising returns and long-term financial security.

Vijay later introduced his family members to Navya at the Kengeri Metro Station. His father, Krishnappa B Gowda, allegedly claimed to be a retired Tehsildar and reassured Navya and her family that all invested money would be safely returned. Cheques were reportedly issued in the name of VRG Enterprises to strengthen their confidence.

According to the police complaint, Vijay also managed to rope in Navya’s friends, convincing them to invest large sums. One friend invested Rs 66 lakh, while another put in Rs 23 lakh over several transactions. When repayment was demanded, Vijay allegedly claimed that his bank accounts had been frozen due to a court case and produced copies of court orders to support his claim.

He later approached Navya’s parents directly and showed them the same documents. Believing his story, Navya’s father allegedly gave Rs 10.5 lakh between December 2024 and February 2025, while her mother invested Rs 18 lakh, including money from her retirement savings. Vijay also reportedly took Rs 10 lakh against Navya’s jewellery and borrowed an additional Rs 5 lakh from her siblings.

The truth came out when Navya went to Vijay’s house demanding her money back. She was shocked to discover that Vijay was already married and had a child. The woman he had introduced as his sister was, in fact, his wife, and they had been married for the past three years. Navya alleged that the entire family was aware of the deception and actively participated in the scam.

In her complaint, Navya further stated that when she confronted Vijay and his family, she and her friends were allegedly threatened with death. She claimed that Vijay collected Rs 1,75,66,890 through multiple bank accounts, of which only Rs 22,51,800 was returned, leaving an unpaid amount of Rs 1,53,15,090.

Police have registered a case of cheating, criminal conspiracy and criminal intimidation against Vijay, his father and his wife. An investigation is currently underway to trace the money trail and determine the full extent of the fraud.

This case has once again raised serious concerns about online matrimonial platforms and the growing trend of financial fraud disguised as marriage proposals, especially in urban tech hubs like Bengaluru.