Stories
27-Year-Old Social Media Influencer Dies by Suicide Amid Cyberbullying Allegations
- •V. Harish, a 27-year-old finance influencer with 1.3 million followers, was found dead hanging in a rented villa in Muttukadu, Chennai.
- •Harish's social media channels had been repeatedly blocked after being mass-reported following disputes over his financial advice.
- •His father, J. Vinayagam, filed a police complaint alleging that fellow influencer Jason Samuel subjected Harish to severe cyberbullying and threats.
- •Before ending his life, Harish recorded a video holding Samuel responsible for his extreme step and for sabotaging his online presence.
- •Jason Samuel denied the allegations, stating he was merely questioning Harish's lack of a valid SEBI registration to give financial advice.
Key Questions Answered
V. Harish, a 27-year-old finance influencer with over 1.3 million followers, was found dead by suicide in a rented villa near Muttukadu, Chennai. His father alleged that persistent cyberbullying, defamatory posts, and threats from fellow influencer Jason Samuel drove his son to take this extreme step.
Jason Samuel publicly questioned Harish's qualifications and authorization to offer financial advice. Samuel alleged that Harish lacked a registered investment advisor license from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and provided false information regarding his registration with the Association of Mutual Funds in India.
Following a formal complaint filed by Harish's father, J. Vinayagam, the Kanathur police registered a case of unnatural death and began examining statements from both sides. Police are also investigating the video recorded by Harish prior to his death and reviewing the circumstances surrounding his suspended social media accounts.
