Karnataka elderly couple loses ₹50 lakh to cyber scam, dies by suicide
An elderly couple in Belagavi district of Karnataka fell victim to cyber fraud and tragically took their own lives. This article covers the scam details, financial transactions, investigation, and aftermath of the incident.
Incident Overview
An elderly couple in Belagavi district of Karnataka, Diogjeron Santan Nazareth (82) and his wife Flaviana (79), died by suicide after falling victim to a cyber fraud scam and alleged harassment. They had no children and were reportedly living alone in Beedi village. Diogjeron left a handwritten two-page note explaining their decision and stating that no one should be blamed.
Discovery
The tragedy came to light on Thursday when neighbours found Flaviana lifeless on her bed. Diogjeron's body was later discovered in the underground water tank of their house. Police reports indicate Diogjeron, a retired Maharashtra government secretariat employee, died by stabbing himself in the neck, with additional injuries found on his wrist. Flaviana is suspected to have consumed poison, although confirmation is pending an autopsy.
How the Scam Occurred
In his suicide note, Diogjeron named two individuals—Sumit Birra and Anil Yadav—allegedly responsible for the cyber fraud. Birra posed as a telecom department official from New Delhi, informing Diogjeron that a SIM card had been fraudulently purchased in his name for illegal activities. The call was later transferred to Yadav, who claimed to be a Crime Branch official. Diogjeron was pressured to provide financial details under threat of legal consequences. Fearing trouble, he transferred over ₹50 lakh to the accounts given by the fraudsters, with additional funds contributed by his wife and son. The scammers continued to demand more money, making withdrawal impossible.
Financial Details
Diogjeron also mentioned taking a gold loan of ₹7.15 lakh, with instructions in his note to sell the gold and use the proceeds to repay debts. He borrowed money from friends and instructed that his wife's gold bangles and earrings be sold to cover the loans. In the note, Diogjeron expressed that, at ages 82 and 79, with no one to support them, they did not want to live at anyone’s mercy, which led to their tragic decision.
Final Wishes
The note expressed a wish for their bodies to be donated to a medical institution for educational purposes. Authorities have taken Diogjeron's mobile phone, the suicide note, and the knife into custody as part of the investigation. A case of abetment to suicide and cyber fraud has been registered against the accused. Police are working to trace the individuals named in the note and recover the fraudulent bank transactions.
Impact and Reflection
This incident highlights the devastating psychological and financial consequences of cyber scams on elderly individuals. The scammers exploited fear and authority to extract money, ultimately leading to a tragic outcome. The case underscores the critical importance of cyber awareness, robust reporting mechanisms, support for vulnerable citizens, and timely intervention to prevent similar tragedies. Authorities continue to investigate and aim to apprehend the perpetrators while educating the public on preventing such frauds.
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