In a major development, former Bigg Boss contestant and social media influencer Mohammed Diligent Blesslee has been taken into custody in connection with a multi-crore online financial fraud. The 30-year-old was formally remanded by a court in Kozhikode following his dramatic arrest at an international airport.
The Arrest and Initial Charges
Authorities apprehended Blesslee at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on December 9. His detention came after a lookout circular was issued against him, flagging him as a wanted individual in a sprawling online investment scam. The court has now sent him to custody as the investigation deepens.
The case first came to light in June, when the District Crime Branch registered a formal case based on a complaint. The initial FIR pointed to a fraud amounting to Rs 5.15 lakh. However, as detectives dug deeper, they uncovered a scheme of staggering proportions.
Anatomy of a Massive Scam
The fraud operated on a deceptive model. Victims were allegedly lured with promises of huge returns for creating online promotional videos for various companies. However, there was a catch: to participate, individuals had to make a significant upfront investment in the firm itself. This false promise of high yields led hundreds of people to part with their money.
The scale of the scam is enormous. What began as an investigation into a few lakhs of rupees unraveled into a fraud totaling an estimated Rs 114 crore. The Crime Branch's probe revealed a complex money trail designed to obscure the origins of the illicit funds.
Complex Money Trail and Network
Crime Branch DSP V V Benny provided insights into the sophisticated operation. Investigators found that the defrauded money was routed through multiple mule accounts – bank accounts held by individuals who allow their accounts to be used for transferring illicit funds.
From these accounts, the funds were allegedly converted into cryptocurrency using hawala channels, an informal method of transferring money that operates outside traditional banking systems. This made tracking the money exceptionally challenging for authorities.
The police have identified a total of 20 accused individuals in this intricate network. So far, 12 people have been arrested, including Blesslee. Notably, two key suspects are currently believed to be in the Gulf region, complicating the legal process.
Next Steps in the Investigation
The legal process is moving swiftly. DSP Benny confirmed that the Crime Branch plans to file a petition seeking further custody of Blesslee either on Thursday or Friday. This custody will be crucial for investigators to interrogate the influencer and uncover more details about the masterminds and the full extent of the operation.
The case highlights the growing trend of financial scams using social media influencers to gain credibility and lure victims. It also underscores the challenges law enforcement faces with the increasing use of cryptocurrencies and cross-border financial networks in illicit activities.
