Karnataka Police have made a significant breakthrough in the case of the tragic suicide of an elderly couple in Belagavi last month. The police announced on Monday that they have arrested a man named Chirag Jeevaraj Bhai Lakkad, a resident of Surat, Gujarat, in connection with the incident.
The couple, Diogjeron Nazareth, 83, and his wife Flaviana Nazareth, 78, were found dead at their residence on March 27. Diogjeron Nazareth left a suicide note, revealing that he had fallen victim to cyber fraud perpetrated by criminals posing as Mumbai Crime Branch officials. He transferred a staggering amount of Rs 59.63 lakh to 22 bank accounts across multiple states after being deceived by the cybercriminals.
One of the police officers involved in the investigation disclosed, “Of the numerous transactions made by Diogjeron Nazareth, Rs 6,10,000 was sent in one RTGS transaction to a bank account under the name Balaji Industries. However, the existence of a registered firm associated with the bank account is currently unknown.”
Further investigation uncovered that Lakkad had a SIM card linked to the bank account of Balaji Industries, through which the funds were subsequently transferred to two other accounts via net banking. It is suspected that Lakkad was operating as part of a larger network and was working for a commission. Following the investigation, Lakkad has been placed in judicial custody.
Diogjeron Nazareth had served at the Secretariat in Mumbai before retiring and relocating to Bidi village in Belagavi. The elderly couple, who did not have any children, found themselves in dire financial circumstances due to the funds lost in the cyber fraud scheme. Diogjeron had borrowed money from friends and acquaintances, as well as taken out a significant gold loan, all in an attempt to meet the demands of the cybercriminals.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of cyber fraud and the devastating consequences it can have on individuals and families. The Karnataka Police are continuing their investigation into the case to unravel the full extent of the criminal network involved in defrauding Diogjeron Nazareth and his wife. The arrest of Chirag Jeevaraj Bhai Lakkad marks a significant development in the quest for justice for the deceased couple and their community.