NRI techie duped of Rs 65 lakh by 'prospective bride'

Naveen S Garewal

Tribune News Service

Hyderabad, May 28

Luring a software engineer on a matrimonial site, a local Telugu family prevailed upon a California-based software engineer to part with Rs 65 lakh believing that the “fake” prospective bride was actually in trouble and need of financial help.

It was only after the money was “lost” that he realised that he has been duped.

It all started when a ­ 44-year-old woman and her son, created a fake profile seeking partner for marriage on a matrimonial site. The California-based engineer Varun began chatting with the woman who identified herself as Keerthi Madhavaneni as a result both became close and would frequently chat over social media.

The woman Malavika Devati and her son Venkateshwara Pranav Lalith Gopal Devati (22), both natives of Ranga Reddy district conspired and told Varun that the bride to be was a wealthy doctor and owner of several properties. Gradually she told the engineer that her mother was torturing her to give up the properties she owned after the death of her father. She told Varun that she needed Rs 65 lakh to hire lawyers to protect her properties and that since they would marry, he too would benefit from the properties.

After the money was transferred she broke contact with Varun, who on getting suspicion approached the police and the lady and her son were arrested.

The police said the woman lured the software engineer into believing the false story and made him transfer Rs 65 lakh. The accused have been arrested, but Malavika’s husband Devati Srinivas is absconding.

Giving details the police, Malavika created a profile on a popular matrimonial site under the fictitious name of Keerthi Madhavaneni and contacted many men who were looking for prospective alliances. The profile introduced Malavika as Keerthi, a doctor living in Jubilee Hills and the owner of several properties.

Malvika alias Keerthi managed to convince Varun of her genuineness and sought his financial help for fighting a court case to prevent the property being transferred onto her mother’s name.  Varun realised that he was duped when the woman started avoiding him and gave evasive replies about the money he had sent. He then approached the police, who arrested Malavika and her son.

The police said the family was previously involved in similar cases registered in the Nallakunta and Marredpally police stations.