An elderly couple in Belagavi, Karnataka, committed suicide after losing Rs 50 lakh to cyber fraud. Diogjeron Nazareth (82) left a note implicating two scammers, Sumit Birra and Anil Yadav, threatening him over fraud. Authorities are investigating the case of abetment to suicide and cyber fraud following the ill-fated incident.
In a tragic incident in Khanapur taluk, Belagavi district, an elderly couple lost their lives by suicide after allegedly falling victim to cyber fraud. The victims, Diogjeron Santan Nazareth (82) and his wife Flaviana (79), resided in Beedi village and had no children. A suicide note revealed their distress over financial exploitation, expressing a desire not to live at the mercy of others.
The situation unfolded when neighbors discovered Flaviana deceased in bed, while Diogjeron’s body was found in an underground water tank. Evidence suggests Diogjeron died from self-inflicted wounds, including a stab to his neck and injuries to his wrist. Flaviana is believed to have ingested poison, pending autopsy confirmation.
In the note, Diogjeron implicated two individuals, Sumit Birra and Anil Yadav. Birra falsely presented himself as a telecom official, claiming that a SIM card had been fraudulently registered in Diogjeron’s name. After transferring the call to Yadav, who posed as a Crime Branch officer, Diogjeron was coerced into providing personal information under threat of legal action.
Over time, Diogjeron transferred more than Rs 50 lakh to these scammers. Despite this, they continued to extort him for additional funds, as reported through digital transaction records. The couple’s financial distress intensified with Diogjeron mentioning a gold loan of Rs 7.15 lakh, with payments due shortly.
In his note, Diogjeron indicated arrangements for repaying debts through the sale of personal items, including his wife’s gold jewellery, as he expressed a sense of hopelessness about their situation. Furthermore, he requested that their bodies be donated for medical study.
Belagavi law enforcement has initiated an investigation, registering cases of abetment to suicide and cyber fraud against the two individuals as indicated in the death note. The authorities have confiscated Diogjeron’s mobile device, the weapon used, and the note to further probe the circumstances surrounding this devastating case.
This tragic incident underscores the devastating impact of cyber fraud, particularly on vulnerable populations. Diogjeron and Flaviana Nazareth’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the pressing need for increased awareness and protection against cyber scams, especially among the elderly. Authorities are actively investigating the individuals implicated in this unfortunate case as they seek to provide justice and prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
