'Mallu Premium' group with 1500 members, Rs 250 for membership; More details in Thrikkakara morphing case

KOCHI: The special investigation team found that the accused in the Thrikkakara morphing case created a paid group called 'Mallu Premium' on Telegram to earn easy money. Morphed pictures of classmates and teachers were sold through the group. The investigation found that only Saneesh, a student of Mavelikkara IHRD College, who was arrested the other day, made financial gains.

Saneesh used to sell the morphed pictures forwarded by the first accused, Thrikkakara Bharat Mata College Student S. Srihari, through the group. After sharing the pictures in the group of about 1,500 people, he would advertise. The membership fee is Rs 250. The QR code used by Saneesh to collect the money and other digital evidence were recovered. Srihari and Saneesh were in contact through Telegram. The phones seized from the accused were sent to the forensic lab for scientific examination. It is assumed that the activities of this group have spread to other districts as well. More arrests are likely in the coming days.

A POCSO case was registered against S. Srihari and Saneesh, who were arrested in the morphing case. Pornographic images of minors were found on both their phones. An investigation is underway with the help of cyber experts to see if there is any involvement of a larger gang behind these crimes.