Blackmail case: 'Seema got acquainted with businessman via FB; her links with political leaders under scanner'

KOCHI/PERUMBAVUR: Police have got the information that arrested Chalakkudy native Seema (32), who had duped a prominent businessman of Rs 50 lakh, had about 15 persons in her gang, which included a Palakkad native who was the brain behind the fraud.

These persons went into hiding soon after Seema and her lover and Edapally native Sahal (Shan 31) got arrested. Perumbavoor DySP is in charge of the investigation.

Police have found out from their phones and other electronic gadgets that many noted political leaders had fallen into their trap. The police have sought the custody of the two.

The police had arrested the duo based on the complaint lodged by the business man and they were produced in the house of the Magistrate. Seema got acquainted with the businessman through Facebook and she extorted money from him by threatening to expose his Facebook chats with her to the public. The businessman first gave money but when the threat continued, he lodged a complaint.

The police, in between, came to know that Seema was pregnant, and the police became cautious and alert thereafter. Seem had been under treatment in hospital for some days lately and the police arrested soon after she was discharged from hospital.

Meanwhile, the police checked the bank account of Seema and found that it only Rs 250 as balance amount. Though she said it was used for her personal needs, the police have not taken this at face value. The police presume that Seema might have distributed the money among her gang members.

Police are also investigation her link with political leaders as there was political pressure to withdraw the case against her.