In a significant breakthrough, the Belagavi district police arrested a key accused from Surat, Gujarat, in connection with a cyber fraud case that led to the tragic suicide of an elderly couple in Beedi village of Khanapur taluk. The accused, Chirag Jeevarajbhai Lakkad, a resident of Surat, was apprehended after an intensive investigation and remanded to judicial custody. A case has been registered at the Nandgad Police Station.
The incident involves the death of Diego Nazareth (83), a retired railway employee, and his wife, Flavia Nazareth (78), who lived in Beedi village. On March 27, Flavia consumed sleeping pills, while Diego ended his life by slashing his neck and jumping into a water tank. A suicide note found at their residence revealed that the couple was being extorted and harassed by cyber fraudsters, who claimed to be officials from the Delhi Crime Branch. One of the imposters, identifying himself as “Anil Yadav,” had threatened the couple with legal action, alleging that obscene content had been shared from Diego’s mobile number. Terrified and desperate, Diego transferred more than ₹59 lakh to multiple bank accounts as demanded by the fraudsters. Even after the payments, the threats did not stop, pushing the couple to take the extreme step.
During the investigation, police uncovered a ₹6.10 lakh RTGS transaction from Diego’s SBI account to an IDFC Bank account under the name ‘Balaji Industries’, based in Rajkot. The trail led to a mobile number linked to this fraudulent account, eventually pointing investigators to Chirag Lakkad. According to Veeresh Doddamani, senior officer from the Cyber Crime Branch, the accused used a SIM card registered in the name of Balaji Industries to facilitate these frauds. Shockingly, the cybercriminals were in video contact with the couple for up to 10 hours, coercing them into transferring funds through Paytm, PhonePe, and other platforms to as many as 21 different bank accounts. The accused reportedly switched his phone off during key transactions to avoid detection. The police also recovered two mobile phones used in executing the fraud.
District Superintendent of Police Dr. Bhimashankar Guled confirmed the arrest and stated that the investigation is ongoing to identify and nab other accomplices involved in the case. The tragic incident highlights the alarming rise in cyber fraud cases targeting the elderly and the urgent need for stronger awareness and digital vigilance.
In a parallel investigation, the Belagavi police managed to trace the mobile number linked to the fraudulent account, leading to the arrest of Chirag Lakkad. The police confirmed that the accused had used the number to divert funds to multiple accounts. According to Doddamani, the accused was threatening the couple from a different mobile number and was using another SIM in the name of Balaji Industries, which was linked to a bank account in Rajkot. In the first go, the accused succeeded in making the couple transfer ₹6.10 lakh via RTGS to the bank account in Rajkot, said Doddamani.
Doddamani further explained that during the investigation, it came to light that the accused and other cyber criminals, allegedly involved in the crime, were on a video call with the couple for at least 10 hours at a stretch once. They were able to make the couple transfer at least ₹59 lakh to 21 different bank accounts online, mostly through Paytm and PhonePe, the police officer added. The police found that one of the accused had threatened the couple, claiming to be a police officer from the Delhi Crime Branch, and had said that someone purchased a SIM card in their name and shared nude pictures with many people on WhatsApp through it.
As the investigation unfolds, the police are urging the public to remain vigilant against such fraudulent activities and to report any suspicious calls or messages. The authorities have also emphasized the importance of educating the elderly about digital security measures to protect them from falling victim to such scams.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, it’s crucial to reach out for help. Organizations like Sneha Foundation (04424640050), Tele Manas (14416), and iCall (02225521111) provide 24/7 support and can offer assistance.
