Fraud through matrimony: Two including woman arrested for defrauding youth of 1 lakh by promising profit through cryptocurrency

THRISSUR: Two individuals have been arrested in connection with a case where a man from Thrissur was allegedly defrauded of Rs 1 lakh after being promised profits through cryptocurrency trading by someone he met via a matrimonial site. The accused, Anju Babu C (31) of Anakkallu in Malappuram, and Muhammad Hashik (28) of Chungathara in Malappuram, were apprehended by the Thrissur Cyber Crime Police at Bengaluru Airport while returning from Cambodia.

The woman became acquainted with the victim through a matrimonial platform and gained his trust by promising marriage. She then convinced him that they could earn money through cryptocurrency trading, after which he transferred Rs 1 lakh. When he couldn’t recover the money and the accused stopped responding to his calls, he filed a complaint with the Thrissur Cyber Crime Police Station.

During the investigation, the Cyber Police discovered that the accused were part of a cyber fraud ring based in Cambodia. A Lookout Notice was issued against them. On their return journey to India, the suspects were intercepted by the Bengaluru Police, who then informed the Thrissur Cyber Crime Police.

The investigation team was led by Cyber Crime Inspector Sudheesh Kumar and included Sub-Inspectors K. Jayan and R. N. Faizal, Assistant Sub-Inspector P. Pratibha, and Civil Police Officers V. B. Anoop and T. C. Chandraprakash.