Australian National Nabbed in Kochi for Elaborate International Job Fraud
In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, Thadiyittaparambu police in Kochi arrested an Australian citizen on Thursday for orchestrating a sophisticated job scam that defrauded a woman of substantial funds. The accused, identified as 58-year-old Zakiyullah Parker, allegedly posed as the CEO of a prominent Australian company to lure his victim with false employment promises.
How the Elaborate Scam Unfolded
The victim, a woman employed in the United Arab Emirates who was residing in a rented accommodation in Pukkattupadi, initially connected with Parker through social media platforms. Parker presented himself as a high-ranking executive and guaranteed her a lucrative job position in Australia, exploiting her aspirations for better career opportunities abroad.
Over the course of their interactions, he fraudulently obtained Rs 5.8 lakh from her under the guise of processing fees and other job-related expenses. When the promised employment failed to materialize despite repeated assurances, the woman recognized the deception and promptly filed a formal police complaint, triggering a thorough investigation.
Scientific Investigation Leads to Dramatic Arrest
Utilizing advanced forensic techniques and digital tracking, authorities determined that Parker was operating from within India. The investigation revealed his nomadic movements across multiple cities, ultimately pinpointing his location to a luxury apartment in Indore. From the exterior, the flat appeared securely locked, suggesting the occupant was attempting to evade detection.
In a meticulously planned special operation, police forces gained entry into the premises and apprehended Parker. During the raid, officers confiscated critical evidence including laptops, mobile phones, and a substantial cache of documents. Notably, Parker was caught in the act of preparing for another fraudulent scheme, complete with a counterfeit Aadhaar card bearing the alias Shubham Sharma.
Police Team Behind the Successful Operation
The investigative effort was spearheaded by a dedicated team comprising ASP Hardik Meena, Inspector K N Manoj, Sub-Inspector N K Jacob, Senior CPO K K Shibu, and CPO Mithun Mohan. Their coordinated approach and persistence were instrumental in tracking down the accused and ensuring his arrest.
Separate Gang Busted for Gift Voucher Scam Targeting Elderly
In a related development highlighting the prevalence of financial fraud, Nedumbassery police dismantled a criminal gang on Thursday for swindling money through deceptive gift voucher schemes. The group operated by contacting victims via telephone, falsely informing them that they had become eligible for extravagant gifts following product purchases.
Details of the Gift Voucher Fraud
The gang specifically targeted a 61-year-old resident of Kadungalloor, enticing him with promises of exclusive discount packages and family trip vouchers to European destinations. They demanded a total of Rs 6.5 lakh for this "huge offer," with an initial upfront payment of Rs 3 lakh required to unlock additional discounts. Based on these assurances, the victim transferred Rs 1.5 lakh to the fraudsters during a meeting at a hotel in Nedumbassery.
After receiving the payment, the group ceased all communication, prompting the victim to file a police complaint. Authorities subsequently apprehended the gang members in Edathala.
Arrested Individuals in the Gift Scam Case
The following individuals were taken into custody:
- Mohammad Saad Saifi (alias Shan Chaudhary), 23, from Delhi
- Gagan Khurana, 22, from Delhi
- Rahul Kumar, 28, from Delhi
- Ravi Prajapati, 25, from Delhi
- Shitij Sengar (alias Yuvraj Singh), 25, from Uttar Pradesh
- Ayush Mantyan, 26, from Uttar Pradesh
- Harsh Vardhan Singh Chauhan, 26, from Uttar Pradesh
- Asif Jamal, 34, from West Bengal
These arrests underscore the ongoing efforts by Kerala police to combat financial crimes and protect citizens from sophisticated scams, whether orchestrated by international operatives or domestic criminal networks.
