MALAPPURAM: A youth has been arrested for snatching money and gold after getting acquainted with unmarried women via matrimonial app. The Karuvarakundu police in Malappuram arrested Azharuddin of Alappuzha.

He got acquainted with a woman via a famous matrimonial app. He introduces himself as a bachelor and owner of a hair oil company. He talks well and grabs the attention of women. His eye was mostly on unmarried women having their own income. The police have obtained information that he had cheated even women government employees.

He sends his own identity card, Aadhaar etc and video calls them. He first takes them into confidence after first making small financial transactions and by repaying money accurately. He later demands more money and gold.

The scam came to light after a woman from Karuvarakundu lodged a complaint with the police. The accused had snatched ornaments of nine sovereigns and Rs 85,000 from the complainant. The police have obtained information that the accused got married four times to women in Alappuzha, Thalassery, Thrikkarippur and Karuvarakundu. The accused produced in the Manjeri court has been remanded.