Kochi: The city cyber police have arrested a 24-year-old man in connection with a cyber fraud case where an Ernakulam-based doctor was swindled of Rs 37 lakh through a matrimonial site. The accused, identified as Abdu Rahman of Thootha in Palakkad, was apprehended in Delhi. According to police, Rahman was a key figure in a gang that orchestrated various frauds, including digital arrest scams, from Cambodia.
Cambodia as a Hub for Cyber Fraud
Police revealed that Cambodia has become a central hub for cyber frauds targeting India. Many Indians are employed in these fraudulent operations, which are controlled by Chinese nationals. Young men and women from India are brought on visiting visas to countries like Thailand and Vietnam, and then transported to Cambodia, where they are forced to work in fraud centres. Special training is provided to these individuals upon arrival.
Rahman's Role in the Gang
Rahman had been working at a fraud centre in Cambodia since 2022. Initially, his job involved sending messages and making phone calls to victims. However, due to his efficiency, his Chinese bosses promoted him to a team leader. Subsequently, he began recruiting people from India to join the fraud operations.
Shift to Matrimonial Platforms
According to police, the racket has shifted its focus to matrimonial platforms after increased public awareness about scams on social media. Fake profiles are created in the names of women and men to contact potential victims. After establishing a relationship under the pretext of marriage, victims are persuaded to engage in trading, promising high profits for future savings. Since the request comes from a prospective groom or bride and offers exceptionally high returns, many victims fall for the scam.
The cyber police have already removed over 1,000 such fake profiles from matrimonial platforms, the statement added.
About the Author
Disney Tom is a senior correspondent with The Times of India in Kochi. He writes on a range of issues including crime, courts, religion, and culture. He joined The Times of India in 2015 through campus placement from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. He likes to travel and write about people and places.
