Pathanamthitta: An elderly couple in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district lost more than Rs 1.40 crore in a sophisticated “virtual arrest” cyber scam after returning from Abu Dhabi.

David P Mathew and his wife Shirley, residents of Kizhakkeel House, Mallappally, were targeted by fraudsters posing as Mumbai Crime Branch officials, who accused them of involvement in serious crimes, including child pornography and money laundering, police said on Saturday.

The scammers claimed that a phone number registered in Shirley’s name had been used to circulate objectionable content and that a complaint had been filed at Chembur Police Station. The couple were warned that unless they paid immediate bail money, they would be arrested.

Victims were instructed not to speak to anyone, as they were reportedl

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