Mavelikara: A teacher from Mavelikara lost Rs.1, 34,986 from their SBI account after clicking on a link received via SMS which stated that the account was suspended and requested a PAN connection. The teacher filed a complaint, following which a Special Investigation Team comprising officers from IPS Cyber Cell and led by Chengannur DySP M.K. Binukumar was constituted by Alappuzha District Superintendent of Police Ms. Chaitra Teresa John IPS to investigate the case.
The investigation led to the discovery that the money was used to purchase a Samsung mobile phone worth Rs.1.10 lakh and transferred to an account in Patna, Bihar. Following unsuccessful attempts to locate the accused in Rajasthan, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, an investigation was conducted in Patna which led to the arrest of two accused, Suraj Kumar (23) and Aman Kumar (21), on 04.05.23. On 05.05.23, the accused were produced before the Patna Chief Judicial Magistrate Court and after obtaining a transit remand order, were brought to Mavelikara on 08.05.23 to face charges. The accused were produced before the Mavelikkara Judicial First Class Magistrate Court on 09.05.23 and remanded.
The police suspect the involvement of more accused in similar crimes across different states and will conduct further investigation. The investigation team included Mavelikkara Police Inspector Mr. C. Sreejith, SI Mr. C. Prahladhan, ASI Mr. Riaz PK, SCPO Mr. Maraya Sinu Varghese, and Mr. Subhash. Mr. N. S, Sreejith S, and Mr. Jawahar.
