What is the story about?
What began as a hopeful search for a life partner on a matrimonial website spiralled into a devastating financial and emotional ordeal for a 29-year-old
software engineer in Bengaluru. As per reports, Navya Shree, a resident of Whitefield, has alleged that she was cheated of more than Rs 1.52 crore by a man who posed as a wealthy businessman, promised marriage, and gradually drew her entire family into what police describe as a carefully planned matrimonial-cum-investment fraud.
When a Matrimonial Match Turned Into a Trap
In March 2024, Navya Shree met Vijay Raj Gowda, also known as Vijeth B, through the Okkaliga matrimony platform, a report by NDTV stated. Vijay allegedly presented himself as the owner of VRG Enterprises and claimed to possess crushers, lorries, land, and premium residential properties in Rajajinagar and Sadashivanagar. To bolster his credibility, he allegedly shared a copy of a bail order linked to a 2019 Enforcement Directorate case and claimed his assets were worth Rs 715 crore. The documents and claims, police said, helped him gain the confidence of Navya and her family.
Vijay allegedly told Navya that he intended to marry her and even claimed to have informed his family about their alliance.
Small Transfers, Big Promises
The first monetary request as per the NDTV report, came on April 4, when Vijay allegedly borrowed Rs 15,000 via PhonePe, citing a temporary bank issue. Soon after, he convinced Navya to take loans and borrow money from friends, pitching the idea of running a business together. He introduced his family members at Kengeri Metro Station, including his father Krishnappa B Gowda, who allegedly claimed to be a retired Tehsildar and issued cheques from VRG Enterprises as assurance of repayment.
According to the FIR, Navya’s friends were also roped in, investing Rs 66 lakh and Rs 23 lakh over time. When repayments were demanded, Vijay allegedly claimed his bank accounts were frozen due to ongoing court cases and produced copies of legal orders to support his claims. These documents were later shown to Navya’s parents, who were persuaded to extend financial help.
Between December 2024 and February 2025, Navya’s father allegedly gave Rs 10.5 lakh, while her mother contributed Rs 18 lakh, including money from her retirement fund. Additional amounts were raised against Navya’s jewellery and from her siblings.
A Shocking Truth at the Doorstep
The deception unravelled when Navya visited Vijay’s house to demand her money back. There, she discovered that he was already married and had a child. The woman introduced to her as his sister was actually his wife, with whom he had been married for three years. Navya further alleged that the entire family was involved in the scam and that she and her friends were later threatened when they sought repayment.
Police records state that Vijay collected Rs 1,75,66,890 through multiple bank accounts, returning only Rs 22,51,800. A case of cheating, criminal conspiracy, and criminal intimidation has been registered against Vijay, his father, and his wife. Further investigation is underway.
