A 27-year-old Indian financial influencer with more than one million social media followers has been found dead near Chennai, with police investigating allegations that he was subjected to sustained online harassment.
V Harish, a financial consultant from Puducherry who operated under the name “Finance with Harish,” was found dead at a rented villa near Muttukadu on Monday night (October 19).
According to Indian media reports, police are investigating his death as a suspected suicide following a complaint filed by his father, J Vinayagam.
Harish had built a large online following over five years by sharing content related to finance and investments. However, his social media accounts were reportedly blocked in September following complaints about his financial advice and professional credentials.
His father alleged that another social media influencer, Jason Samuel, had subjected Harish to cyberbullying, defamatory accusations and threats, causing him severe mental distress.
According to the complaint, Harish recorded a video before his death in which he allegedly blamed Samuel for his decision.
Samuel has denied the allegations, saying he had raised legitimate questions about Harish’s qualifications and whether he was authorised to provide financial advice.
He alleged that Harish did not possess the required registration from India’s Securities and Exchange Board and had misrepresented his professional credentials.
Samuel also said he had never expected Harish to die by suicide.
Police said Harish’s established social media accounts had been blocked following mass reporting, while a replacement account was also subsequently taken down.
Investigators are examining the allegations made by both parties, including the circumstances surrounding the removal of his accounts and the video reportedly recorded before his death.
No suicide note was recovered, and police have registered a case of unnatural death.
The allegations against Samuel have not been independently established, and the investigation remains ongoing. (Newswire)
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