THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state police's cyber wing has uncovered the identities of around 50 Keralites, including women, employed by Cambodia-based operators running online financial scams. Many of these companies are owned and operated by Chinese nationals who recruit Keralites to target fellow compatriots.

The individuals, mostly aged 20-30, are tasked with gathering details of potential victims, procuring Indian SIM cards, and enticing individuals to invest in fraudulent schemes, according to police sources.

This scam operation came to light following the interrogation of a 22-year-old man arrested by Thrissur Rural police on Wednesday. Mufliq, a native of Varkala, was detained based on information from the cyber wing after returning from Cambodia, where he had worked for about six months.

Mufliq was crucial in procuring Indian SIM cards from a vendor in Kilimanoor, Thiruvananthapuram. These SIMs were activated by his handlers in Cambodia and used to lure victims, explained Mala station inspector Sunil Pulickal.

An initial inquiry revealed that 59 SIM cards were acquired from Kerala using false documents. The vendor, Vishnu, a Kilimanoor native, has also been arrested. Mufliq paid Vishnu Rs 600 for each SIM card, using documents previously submitted by customers to activate their own SIMs.

These SIM cards facilitated scams amounting to several lakhs of rupees. Mufliq faces three fraud-related charges.

The cyber wing discovered that scammers utilized Indian SIM cards to contact victims. Keralites working for these firms gathered potential victims' details from social media, contacting them while pretending to be women.

A police source detailed a case where a victim was defrauded of Rs 3.85 lakh by a scammer impersonating a private bank employee. The scammer gained the victim's trust by claiming she would lose her job if she didn't meet targets, persuading the victim to open an account and transfer money in installments.

Cyber-wing officials are taking the matter seriously and are committed to bringing others involved in these financial crimes to justice.

News Source: New Indian Express

Date: 16 Apr 2024