In a heart-wrenching incident from Karnataka’s Belagavi district, an elderly couple ended their lives after falling victim to a cyber fraud that cost them over ₹50 lakh. The scammers, posing as government officials, manipulated them into believing that their identities had been compromised in illegal activities. Trapped in fear and distress, the couple left behind a suicide note detailing their ordeal.
How the Scam Unfolded
1. Initial Contact and Deception
The scam began when the elderly man, identified as Diago Santan Nazareth (82), received a phone call from an individual introducing himself as Sumit Birra, a supposed official from the telecom department in New Delhi. Birra falsely claimed that a SIM card had been fraudulently purchased in Nazareth’s name and was being misused for criminal activities and illicit advertisements.
After this, the call was transferred to another fraudster, Anil Yadav, who posed as an official from the Delhi Crime Branch. Yadav falsely accused Nazareth of being involved in a criminal case and pressured him into cooperating.
2. Extortion and Threats
Under the pretense of resolving the issue, the scammers demanded an initial payment of ₹5 lakh. Believing that this would clear his name, Nazareth complied and transferred the money. However, the extortion did not stop there. The criminals continued threatening the couple, forcing them to transfer more funds.
To make matters worse, the fraudsters allegedly morphed obscene images of the couple and threatened to release them online if they refused to pay. This psychological torment pushed them into deeper distress.
3. Financial Ruin and Isolation
Over time, the scammers extracted over ₹50 lakh from the couple. Nazareth, a retired state government employee, borrowed money from friends and took out a gold loan of ₹7.15 lakh to meet the scammers' demands. In their suicide note, he mentioned that his wife’s jewelry should be pawned off to settle outstanding debts.
“We have nobody to support us. We don’t want to live at somebody’s mercy. So we have taken this decision,” the couple wrote in their note.
Discovery of the Tragedy
The elderly couple, who resided in Beedi village, Khanapur taluk, Belagavi district, was found dead on Thursday. Flaviana Nazareth (79) reportedly consumed sleeping pills, while her husband inflicted fatal injuries upon himself. Their neighbors discovered their bodies and immediately informed the authorities.
Initially, the case was suspected to be a murder. However, upon investigation, the police recovered the couple’s suicide note and mobile phone records, which confirmed that they were victims of a cyber fraud scheme.
Police Investigation and Legal Action
The Nandagada Police have registered a case of cybercrime under the IT Act. Additionally, a case of abetment to suicide has been filed against Sumit Birra and Anil Yadav, the individuals named in the suicide note. The Belagavi Cyber Crime Police Station is now leading the investigation to trace the accused and bring them to justice.
Rise in Cyber Scams Targeting the Elderly
The tragic case highlights a growing trend where fraudsters impersonate government officials to scam vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly. These criminals use:
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Threatening legal action to create fear.
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Morphed images and fabricated evidence to blackmail victims.
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Emotional manipulation, preying on victims' fear of financial and social ruin.
Cybersecurity experts warn that such scams are becoming more sophisticated, with fraudsters using video calls and fake official documents to appear legitimate.
How to Protect Yourself from Cyber Fraud
To avoid falling victim to such scams, follow these precautions:
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Verify the caller's identity – If someone claims to be from a government agency, call the official helpline to confirm.
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Never share personal or financial information over the phone or online.
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Beware of threats and urgency tactics – Scammers often pressurize victims by creating a sense of panic.
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Use strong security settings on social media and mobile apps to prevent identity theft.
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Report suspicious calls immediately to the police and cybercrime helplines.
The tragic suicide of Diago and Flaviana Nazareth is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by cyber fraud. With cybercriminals adopting new techniques to exploit innocent people, it is crucial to spread awareness and strengthen digital security measures.
Authorities must intensify their efforts to crack down on such fraudulent networks, ensuring that no more lives are lost to online scams. If you or someone you know encounters suspicious online activity, report it immediately to cybercrime.gov.in or call the national cybercrime helpline.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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