KOCHI: Kalamassery police have caught a Karnataka police team that took a bribe from the accused in a cryptocurrency fraud case. A police team that came to Kochi to investigate a 26 lakh rupees cryptocurrency fraud case based in Bangalore was arrested after they took a bribe from the accused. Four police officers, including an inspector from the Karnataka police, were in the group.

Sivaprakash, Shivanna, Vijayakumar and Sandesh were taken into custody by the Kalamasery police. According to the police to avoid arrest, the inspector had taken Rs 3.95 lakhs from the accused. The Karnataka police demanded Rs 10 lakh as a bribe from the accused. The police team was caught after the friends of the accused gave the information to the City Police Commissioner that the Karnataka police had taken money using the accused's ATM card.

An FIR has been registered against the Karnataka police officials under five counts including extortion by threat. Kalamassery police

recovered Rs four lakh from the Karnataka police team. The Kalamassery police took the Karnataka police team into custody when they were on the way to the Nedumbassery airport with the accused. Kochi City Police has sought legal advice regarding the incident. According to reports the arrested team is part of the Karnataka cyber police. The Kalamassery police have informed that the Karnataka police team will be sent back after they are served a notice.