Police make first arrest in Rs250m online trading scam

After making the first arrest in what is being described as one of the biggest cyber scams in Kerala, the Kochi cyber police have traced another bank account linked to the online fraud to a leading private bank branch in Hyderabad.

- AM Abdussalam

The complainant, a pharmaceutical businessman in Kochi, who lost Rs25 crores (Rs250 million) in the fraud, said that around Rs16 crore was transferred in instalments to this account in Hyderabad.

The accused, identified as Sujitha G, 38, of Kollam, was apprehended by the special investigation team led by Thrikkakara ACP Shiju PS, on the directive of commissioner Putta Vimaladitya. Sujitha, who had been under surveillance for several days, was taken into custody, interrogated, and later remanded to judicial custody on Tuesday night, a senior officer said.