Pathanamthitta (Kerala): Dr. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, the former Metropolitan of Niranam Diocese of the Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church, has lost ₹15 lakh in a sophisticated cyber fraud. The incident occurred after Mar Coorilos was deceived into believing he was involved in a money laundering case, leading him to transfer the sum in two installments.

Mar Coorilos has lodged complaints with the Keezhvaipur police station and the cyber cell.

The Scam Unfolds

According to his complaint, Mar Coorilos received a video call on August 2 from someone posing as an officer from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The caller accused him of being linked to a money laundering case involving a Mumbai-based individual named Naresh Goyal. The scammer presented forged documents during the call and demanded payment to avoid arrest.

The caller alleged that Mar Coorilos held an account in a Mumbai bank that was used for illegal financial transactions, claiming he also used a separate SIM card for these activities. Threatened with the prospect of "digital arrest," Mar Coorilos, fearing legal repercussions, complied with the scammer's demands.

Financial Transactions

On August 3, Mar Coorilos transferred ₹13,31,186 from his Federal Bank account in Mallapally to a Yes Bank account in Delhi. Later, when the scammer demanded more money, he sent an additional ₹1.70 lakh from a friend’s Federal Bank account in Mavelikkara to an Indian Overseas Bank account in Jaipur.

Realization and Complaint

After realizing he had been duped, Mar Coorilos promptly filed a complaint with the local authorities. The police are investigating the case, tracing the transactions made to accounts in Delhi and Jaipur.

The video calls were reportedly made from two phone numbers: 8937011759 and 8958268313. Authorities are now working to identify and apprehend the individuals behind this scam.