In recent times, Kerala has witnessed a surge in sophisticated scams that intertwine elements of romance and real estate fraud, leading to significant financial losses among unsuspecting victims. One such case involved a couple from Anchalumoodu, Shemi and Sojan, who orchestrated a honey trap operation targeting a businessman from Thrissur. They extorted ₹2.5 crore by engaging in deceptive online interactions and leveraging compromising content to threaten their victim.
Another notable incident unfolded in Alathur, where a real estate company named Garlan Neomax duped investors out of ₹24 crore. The perpetrators lured victims with promises of land worth triple their investment, only to abscond with the funds, leaving investors in distress.
These scams are part of a broader pattern affecting the state. For instance, a 45-year-old man from Tripunithura lost ₹4.05 crore over a span of two and a half months to a cyber scam promising high returns through share trading. Similarly, a doctor from Kozhikode was defrauded of ₹4.08 crore by a scammer from Rajasthan.
The Kerala Police have been proactive in addressing these issues, urging the public to remain vigilant against such fraudulent schemes. Authorities emphasize the importance of verifying the authenticity of investment opportunities and being cautious of unsolicited romantic advances, especially those that quickly lead to financial transactions.
In light of these incidents, it is crucial for individuals to exercise due diligence, seek professional advice before making significant investments, and report any suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies promptly. Awareness and caution are key to safeguarding oneself against the evolving tactics of fraudsters.
