Elderly Couple from Karnataka’s Belagavi District Dies by Suicide After Alleged Harassment by Online Fraudsters
Digital Arrest Claims Lives
An elderly couple from Belagavi district in Karnataka, Diego Santan Nazareth (82) and his wife Flaviana (79), died by suicide on Thursday evening. The couple was allegedly harassed by online fraudsters who threatened them with ‘digital arrest’.
Bodies Found Inside and Outside the House
Flaviana’s body was found inside their home in Christian Galli, Khanapur taluk, while Diego’s body was pulled out from an underground tank outside the house.
Threatened with Digital Arrest
Diego left a note claiming that the couple had been targeted by individuals posing as telecom officials from New Delhi since January. The fraudsters threatened them with ‘digital arrest’, accusing them of misusing a phone SIM card to carry out criminal acts.
Digital Arrest Scams
In cases of ‘digital arrest’, criminals usually pose as law enforcement officers and demand money for a ‘compromise’ and ‘closure of a case’ against the victims. They often wear uniforms and make video calls from locations resembling government offices or police stations.
Forced to Pay Rs 5 Lakh
Diego’s note identified the persons who called the couple as Sumit Birra and Anil Yadav. They allegedly forced the couple to pay Rs 5 lakh and had been pressuring them for more money.
Loans Taken from Individuals in Goa and Mumbai
The man further said that the couple had taken loans from individuals in Goa and Mumbai. The suicide note asked for the loans to be paid off by selling gold bangles and earrings, and for their remains to be donated to a medical institution for study.
Elderly Couple from Karnataka’s Belagavi District Dies by Suicide After Alleged Online Fraud Harassment
Digital Scam Leads to Tragic Loss
An elderly couple from Belagavi district in Karnataka, Diego Santan Nazareth (82) and his wife Flaviana (79), died by suicide on Thursday evening. They were allegedly harassed by online fraudsters who threatened them with ‘digital arrest’.
Bodies Discovered Inside and Outside the Home
Flaviana’s body was found inside their home in Christian Galli, Khanapur taluk, while Diego’s body was pulled out from an underground tank outside the house.
Targeted by Digital Arrest Scam
Diego left a note explaining that the couple had been targeted by individuals posing as telecom officials from New Delhi since January. The fraudsters threatened them with ‘digital arrest’, accusing them of misusing a phone SIM card for criminal activities.
How Digital Arrest Scams Work
In ‘digital arrest’ scams, criminals typically pose as law enforcement officers and demand money for a ‘compromise’ and ‘closure of a case’ against the victims. They often wear uniforms and make video calls from locations resembling government offices or police stations.
Forced to Pay Rs 5 Lakh
Diego’s note identified the persons who called the couple as Sumit Birra and Anil Yadav. They allegedly forced the couple to pay Rs 5 lakh and had been pressuring them for more money.
Loans Taken to Pay Scammers
The man further said that the couple had taken loans from individuals in Goa and Mumbai. The suicide note asked for the loans to be paid off by selling gold bangles and earrings, and for their remains to be donated to a medical institution for study.
