Kochi Cyber Police Nab Man in Rs 1.2 Crore Virtual Arrest Scam Targeting Senior Citizen
In a significant crackdown on cybercrime, the Ernakulam rural district cyber police have arrested a 43-year-old man from Malappuram for allegedly orchestrating a sophisticated fraud scheme that duped an elderly resident of Aluva out of more than Rs 1.2 crore. The arrest, made on Wednesday, highlights the growing menace of virtual arrest threats targeting vulnerable individuals.
Modus Operandi: Posing as Central Agency Official
The accused, identified as Salim from Perinthalmanna in Malappuram district, contacted the victim over the phone while impersonating an official from a central investigation agency. According to police reports, Salim falsely informed the elderly man that a bank account had been opened in his name at a nationalized bank in Mumbai. He further claimed that a sum of Rs 75 lakh, allegedly linked to a human trafficking case in north India, had been transferred into this account.
The victim was then threatened with immediate arrest, along with warnings that his existing bank accounts would be frozen and his properties confiscated. This created a state of extreme fear and psychological distress for the senior citizen.
Exploiting Fear to Execute Financial Fraud
Capitalizing on the victim's panic, Salim offered to treat the case as a priority investigation and instructed him to transfer money from his personal accounts to specific bank accounts provided by the fraudster. Under severe duress, the elderly man complied, transferring approximately Rs 1.2 crore through eight separate transactions.
This case underscores the alarming tactics used by cybercriminals to exploit the trust and fear of individuals, particularly the elderly, who may be less familiar with digital threats.
Police Action and Broader Crackdown on Crime
The Ernakulam rural cyber police acted swiftly upon receiving the complaint, leading to Salim's arrest. This incident is part of a broader effort by law enforcement to combat cyberfraud in the region.
In related developments, the Ernakulam rural police also arrested two interstate migrant workers from Odisha after seizing 10kg of ganja during a raid in the Ramamangalam Kadavu area. The accused, Prasanna Kumar Bisoyi and Barun Bisoyi, both aged 31, were taken into custody as part of ongoing anti-narcotics operations.
Additionally, the Elamakkara police arrested two individuals, Thaufiq from Kollam and Amrutha from Thrissur, with 16g of MDMA from a lodge in Karukappally. During interrogation, Thaufiq reportedly disclosed that he had procured the drugs from Majestic in Bengaluru, indicating interstate drug trafficking links.
These arrests reflect a multi-pronged approach by Kerala police to address both cybercrime and substance abuse, ensuring public safety across various fronts.
