A 29-year-old software engineer, Navya Shree, has allegedly been cheated of Rs1.52 crore by a man she met on a matrimonial website in Bengaluru, police said.
The accused, identified as Vijay Raj Gowda alias Vijeth B, presented himself as a wealthy businessman with assets worth Rs715 crore, including lorries, land, crushers, and residential properties. Claiming to run VRG Enterprises, Vijay convinced Shree and her family to invest large sums and also lent him personal funds.
In March 2024, Shree met Vijay on Okkaliga Matrimony, where he promised to marry her and claimed that his family approved the match. He also shared a copy of a 2019 Enforcement Directorate (ED) bail order to build credibility.
Vijay began borrowing small amounts, like Rs15,000 via PhonePe, and gradually persuaded Shree to take loans and collect investments from friends. He involved his family—father Krishnappa B Gowda alias Bore Gowda UJ, mother Netravathi K Gowda, and sister Sushideepa K Gowda alias Soumya—who presented false identities to gain Shree’s trust.
Over several months, Shree, her parents, and friends invested substantial amounts:
Shree: Rs 66 lakh and Rs 23 lakh from friends
Father: Rs10.5 lakh
Mother: Rs18 lakh including retirement funds
Jewellery pledge: Rs10 lakh
Siblings: Rs5 lakh
When Shree sought repayment, Vijay claimed his bank accounts were frozen due to a court case and produced forged court orders. It was only upon visiting his home that Shree discovered Vijay was already married with a child, and the woman presented as his sister was, in fact, his wife.
Shree alleged that Vijay and his family acted in collusion, and later issued death threats to her and her friends when she demanded her money back.
According to police, Vijay collected a total of Rs1,75,66,890, of which only Rs22,51,800 was returned, leaving Rs1,53,15,090 unpaid.
A case of cheating, criminal conspiracy, and intimidation has been registered against Vijay and two family members, and further investigation is underway.
