Finance influencer dies by suicide, claims harassment by tech CEO in last video

For five years, V Harish built a following of more than a million people by sharing content on finance and investments. But in the days before his death, the 27-year-old finance influencer found himself at the centre of a public feud over his credentials to offer financial advice, with his father alleging that online harassment and threats left him in severe mental distress.Harish, who ran the social media brand ‘Finance With Harish’ on Instagram and YouTube, was found hanging at a rented villa near Chennai on Tuesday.In a police complaint, his father alleged that Jason Samuel, CEO of venture studio Zemuria Inc., had name-dropped the Puducherry Chief Minister to threaten his son, warning that he would not be spared. The complaint also alleged that a demand for Rs 3 crore had been made against Harish.His father alleged that Samuel cyberbullied his son through a series of social media posts, videos and threats, damaging the reputation he had built over the years. In the complaint, the influencer’s father alleged that Samuel published videos and posts about Harish on October 18, accusing him of misleading the public.The father claimed the content was shared across Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, humiliating his son and causing him severe mental anguish. The dispute unfolded on social media, where Harish had built a following of more than 1.3 million on Instagram. His established account was disabled by Meta following the allegations against him. He subsequently began posting videos through a new account, which was also taken down.In a video recorded before his death, Harish spoke about the impact of the dispute on his work and reputation. He alleged that he had been threatened with legal action over income tax and told he could face jail or would have to pay money.“My hard work of the last five years was stolen,” Harish said in the video, alleging mental harassment and threats. He claimed he was threatened with jail over alleged income tax non-compliance or pressured to pay money. He also alleged that the person threatening him claimed to know the Puducherry Chief Minister.“It’s not okay to defame someone,” Harish said, urging people to release the video. “No matter how big the problem is, release the video.”Harish’s father alleged that Samuel threatened to block all of his son’s social media accounts, including any new ones he created, and threatened to harm his family.“Will you see your parents in Puducherry? I’ll hang them,” Samuel allegedly told Harish, according to his father, who also claimed that Samuel demanded Rs 3 crore and used the names of the Puducherry MLA and Chief Minister to threaten him.The influencer’s father has urged the police to examine the video recorded by his son, along with the relevant social media posts, messages and other electronic evidence.He has also sought an investigation into the circumstances in which Meta suspended Harish’s accounts and whether any other individuals were involved in the alleged harassment.TECH CEO DENIES CYBERBULLYING ALLEGATIONSSamuel denied cyberbullying Harish in a post on X following the influencer’s death. He said his criticism had focused on Harish’s credentials and his authority to provide financial advice.“I am deeply saddened, heavily grieving, shocked and frozen at what has happened and I mourn the loss of life,” Samuel wrote.He alleged that Harish did not hold a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) licence from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and had misrepresented his registration with the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI). Samuel claimed that Harish had obtained his AMFI Registration Number (ARN) only recently.“I literally asked him in the video to come back and do this with a proper SEBI licence. I never intended or expected this drastic measure to happen and I mourn the loss,” he added.Samuel maintained that he had not intended or expected the dispute to have such an outcome. Kanathur police are investigating the death and the allegations raised by the family.- Ends