The Kodagu police in Karnataka Tuesday arrested 5 individuals who allegedly posed as cyber cops to extort Rs 7 lakh from a financial institution worker by intimidation and threats of false expenses.
The accused have been recognized as Ibrahim Baad Shah, 25, from Boyikeri within the Kodagu district; Raghavendra B M, 19, from Melukote within the Mandya district; Sangeetha, 30, Ibrahim’s spouse from Banashankari in Bengaluru; Charan C Ok, 19, from Kushalnagar, and a minor with prior legal historical past.
In line with the complainant, Parashivamurthy M P, 51, he by chance despatched an ‘I Love You’ message on Fb to an individual on October 11, 2024. On November 2, he acquired a name from somebody claiming to be from the cyber police division of Periyapatna.
The caller allegedly accused Parashivamurthy, who lives within the Madapatna village underneath the Kushalnagar city police station limits, of harassing ladies on social media and threatened extreme penalties if he didn’t pay cash. The fraudster allegedly warned that they might arrest him at his dwelling, publicly humiliate him earlier than neighbours, and guarantee his imprisonment.
Parashivamurthy, who labored as an attendant at a cooperative financial institution, was initially hesitant to file a criticism. Via persistent calls and psychological stress, the accused allegedly coerced him into paying the substantial sum over time.
Finally, he filed a police criticism on January 11, and the police filed a case underneath sections 318 (2) (dishonest), 319 (1) (dishonest by personation) and 308 (2) (extortion) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
A particular investigation workforce led by Deputy Superintendent P Chandrashekar of Somwarpet sub-division, together with Kushalnagar city police station workers, performed an intensive probe that resulted within the arrests.
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All arrested had been produced earlier than a court docket following their apprehension. The police additionally seized 4 cellphones used within the crime.