No one doubts the software engineer: Bengaluru’s midnight dating app trap. india news

A shocking dating app scam has come to light in Bengaluru, revealing how a young software engineer from Tamil Nadu and her long-time boyfriend allegedly drugged, robbed and cheated men to repay huge loans taken through multiple online apps.

What started as a casual dating conversation for a young tech worker soon turned into a nightmare. Police say the couple adopted this method as a calculated money-making scheme, targeting men who trusted the girl’s online persona.

A tech job, debt pressure and a wrong turn

The woman at the center of the case is Kavipriya, a software engineer originally from Tamil Nadu. According to the police, she was active on several dating platforms for months. What appeared to be harmless online flirting was actually part of a larger trap that she and her boyfriend, Harshvardhan, had hatched.

Officials say the couple had taken loans worth several lakhs of rupees from various instant credit and dating apps and to meet the pressure of repayment, they resorted to illegal means to withdraw the money. Kavipriya used her profile, photographs, and conversations to reach out to potential targets, and convince them that she was interested in meeting in person.

The plan was simple. Gain their trust, meet them at a safe place and create an opportunity to drug them and rob them.

How was the trap laid?

The victim in this incident is a 24-year-old software employee. He met Kavitapriya on a dating app and allegedly used friendly messages and curated photos to win her over. After a few days of conversation, the victim asked if she would be willing to meet. She agreed and suggested meeting on November 1st.

They met at a restaurant in Indiranagar, Bengaluru, where they spent a few hours talking and dining. The young man, convinced that he had found a true companion, suggested going to a nearby lodge. Kavipriya agreed, as it was part of the plan.

Going inside the lodge, the couple ordered food online around midnight. According to the police, after finishing the meal, the man drank water which was laced with some intoxicant. Within a few minutes he became unconscious.

robbery and escape

As soon as the victim became unconscious, Kavipriya searched the room and took his money, gold and other valuables. After this she ran away from the lodge and immediately left Bengaluru.

Police investigation later revealed that she and her lover had fled to Tamil Nadu. The couple allegedly pawned the stolen gold at a local shop and used the money to manage their pending loans.

The next morning, the young engineer woke up feeling dizzy and confused. Realizing that their valuables were missing, they immediately reported the matter to Indiranagar police station. A rapid investigation began on his complaint.

Police broke the case

Acting on digital evidence, CCTV footage and lodge records, the police started tracking the woman’s movements. They soon discovered that the phone numbers used on the dating apps were linked to several suspicious accounts. Further investigation pointed to the involvement of her boyfriend.

A team was sent to Tamil Nadu, where both the suspects were traced and arrested. Police say the two have confessed to taking the money and pawning the gold, but they are being interrogated further to find out if more victims were involved.

Growing pattern of dating app crimes

According to officials, dating app scams are on the rise in Bengaluru, especially in areas with a high concentration of young IT workers. Many victims hesitate to file complaints due to embarrassment, which allows such criminals to continue their work.

The incident highlights how personal information shared online can be misused and how criminals take advantage of the anonymity offered by dating apps.

Police have urged young professionals to exercise caution while meeting strangers on online platforms. Confirming identity, avoiding isolated places, and informing friends or family before meeting someone new are essential safety measures. While dating apps are widely used today, this case reminds everyone that blind trust can lead to dangerous situations.