In a city known as the Silicon Valley of India, where young professionals thrive on logic, data and pragmatism, a heartbreaking story has emerged — one that starkly contrasts with the rational world of code and technology. A 29-year-old software engineer in Bengaluru trusted what she believed was love and a promise of lifelong companionship, only to discover that she had been lured into one of the most elaborate matrimonial frauds in recent memory. What followed was not only an emotional betrayal but a devastating financial loss that shook her world to its core.
This is not just a story of romance gone wrong. It is a case of calculated deception, manipulation of trust, exploitation of emotions and financial ruin disguised as love. It exposes vulnerabilities in online courtship, raises questions about due diligence in relationships, and highlights how even well-educated professionals can fall victim to well-orchestrated fraud.
The Beginning: A Promise That Seemed Too Good to Be True
In March 2024, the victim — a young software engineer living and working in Bengaluru — met a man through a matrimonial website tailored for her community. Matrimony sites are widely used in India and often seen as a modern bridge between tradition and choice. They allow people to find compatible life partners while retaining cultural values. But in this case, the digital bridge turned into a trap.
The man she connected with introduced himself as someone named Vijay Raj Gowda, also known as Vijeth B. He portrayed himself as a successful businessman, claiming ownership of multiple companies, transport assets like lorries, property in upscale areas of the city and an impressive financial portfolio estimated in hundreds of crores. To bolster his credibility, he even showed her documents related to a decades-old legal case, claiming it was evidence of his wealth being tied up rather than a reflection of wrongdoing.
For someone seeking a partner with stability and long-term prospects, these claims would appear assuring. The relationship swiftly moved from casual messages to deeper emotional engagement. According to later reports, he also introduced her to his family, including a woman he claimed was his sister — all to reinforce the illusion of legitimacy and trust.
The Trap Tightens: Blending Love With Financial Manipulation
Relationships that grow fast can feel overwhelming in their intensity. For this software engineer, the promise of marriage coupled with the idea of shared business opportunities made the future look bright and secure. But underlying this facade was a carefully laid plan to siphon money from her and her inner circle.
The man began asking for money under various plausible pretexts. It started with small amounts — a mere few thousand rupees — but quickly escalated. He requested funds for supposed bank issues, claiming frozen accounts, and later for “business investments” they would make together. Trusting him completely, and emotionally invested in their future together, she began transferring money — first small, then larger and larger sums.
Unbeknownst to her, she was stepping into waters that would soon prove dangerous and costly. Friends and family members were also drawn in, encouraged to invest in the alleged ventures, amplifying not only her financial exposure but deepening the emotional entanglement between her and the man she believed would be her husband. The total amount she transferred ran into over one and a half crore rupees, with only a small fraction ever returned.
The First Cracks Appear: Doubts, Legal Excuses and Red Flags
As months passed and the promised marriage date remained elusive, doubts began to surface. When she asked for repayment or clarity about their future, the responses remained vague. He cited legal trouble, saying his bank accounts were frozen due to a high-profile enforcement case. He even produced court documents — crafted or repurposed — to make his story appear legitimate.
This tactic of invoking legal issues served two purposes. It explained why he could not return the funds immediately, and it created an aura of sympathy mixed with fear, making it difficult for her to cut ties or withdraw emotionally. For someone deeply invested both emotionally and financially, these excuses sounded plausible.
Eventually, when she visited his home and met the family he had shown her, the truth revealed itself in a shattering moment. The woman he had introduced as his sister was, in fact, his wife — and he had a child. The entire narrative had been fabricated, with the alleged “sister” complicit in maintaining the deception.
The Aftermath: Legal Action and Emotional Turmoil
Upon discovering the lie, the woman confronted him and demanded repayment. What followed was not cooperation, remorse or an honest discussion. Instead, he allegedly repaid a small portion of the money — barely a fraction — and then resorted to threats aimed at silencing her and her friends. Reports indicate that she received threats to her life when she continued to pursue the case and sought justice.
She filed a formal complaint with the police, naming the man and, subsequently, his father and his supposed “sister” — now revealed as his wife — as co-accused in the fraud. Law enforcement launched an investigation, registered a case under relevant sections, and eventually arrested the primary accused.
Deception Beyond the Individual: How Scam Structures Work
This case is not unique in the sense that emotional manipulation is a well-known tactic in fraud. But it stands out for its blend of romantic promise, fabricated social identity, business pretexts and legal intimidation. This type of scam exploits several factors simultaneously:
Emotional Trust: A promise of marriage creates a powerful emotional bond that can cloud judgment and reduce rational skepticism.
Social Proof: Introducing alleged family members increases perceived legitimacy.
Financial Authority Signals: Claiming to own trust funds, businesses and significant assets enhances perceived credibility.
Legal Fear Tactics: Invoking court cases and frozen accounts mixes sympathy with fear, which can discourage victims from questioning motives.
The combination of these elements creates a deeply convincing story that, to the casual observer — and even to intelligent professionals — might not immediately raise red flags.
Lessons and Reflections: Emotional Caution in the Digital Age
At its core, this tragic story highlights a broader truth about human vulnerability. Love, hope and trust are powerful forces — and they can be weaponised by those with malicious intent. In an era where online matrimonial platforms are widely used, and relationships begin with swipes, clicks and chat windows, the risk of deception is ever present.
This case reminds us that due diligence in online relationships, especially when significant commitments or financial matters are involved, is essential. A promise of marriage should never fast-track obedience to financial requests, and claims of business success or legal trouble must be independently verified before respondents entrust money or their futures to another. Emotional engagement should be balanced with careful evaluation of facts, background and credibility.
It also underscores the importance of legal awareness and swift reporting. By registering the complaint and involving the police, the victim not only sought justice for herself but helped bring wider attention to a dangerous form of fraud that can affect others. Early intervention by authorities can help protect future victims from similar manipulations.
Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale With Far-Reaching Impact
The betrayal faced by this Bengaluru software engineer goes beyond one individual’s misfortune. It represents a modern form of deception that blends emotional exploitation with financial fraud. It serves as a stark reminder that even savvy, well-educated individuals are not immune to manipulation when trust and hope are involved.
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