Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Oct 13: A shocking case of blackmail and financial fraud has been registered at the Vittal police station after a Kerala-based man working in Saudi Arabia was allegedly duped of Rs 44.80 lac by individuals who lured him under the pretext of a marriage proposal.

According to the complaint filed by 53-year-old Mohammed Ashraf Thavarakadan, the incident occurred during his visit to Mangaluru in September 2024, when he had returned to India to find a prospective bride.

Ashraf stated that he was called to Mangaluru by a group, including accused persons identified as Basheer and Safiya, under the guise of meeting a potential bride. During the meeting, they allegedly took photographs and videos of him, which they later used to threaten him.

The accused reportedly blackmailed Ashraf, threatening to leak the visuals unless he paid them money.

Fearing defamation and reputational damage, Ashraf claims to have paid a total of Rs 44.80 lac to the group over a period of time.