Man arrested for duping elderly couple who died by suicide in Belagavi

Belagavi: After intimidating them with digital arrest, He got ₹6.1 lakh transferred from the two.

Victims Transferred ₹6.1 Lakh After Being Threatened With ‘Digital Arrest’

Belagavi police have arrested a man from Gujarat in connection with the tragic suicide of two senior citizens who were duped of ₹6.1 lakh. The victims, 83-year-old Diego Nazareth and his 79-year-old wife Flaviana Nazareth, were found dead at their residence in Beedi village near Khanapur on March 28, 2025.

Accused Arrested in Surat

The accused, Chirag Jeevarajbai Lakkad from Surat district, was arrested on Monday. According to police, he threatened the elderly couple with a so-called “digital arrest”, coercing them into transferring a large sum of money to an account under the name Balaji Industries held with IDFC Bank.

Digital Trail Led to the Accused

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Investigations revealed that the money was funneled through multiple bank accounts using mobile numbers linked to the accused’s devices. Police seized two mobile phones used in the crime, which helped track the digital footprint and confirm Chirag’s involvement.

Victims Left a Detailed Suicide Note

In their suicide note, the couple named individuals who had harassed them and listed those they owed money to. This helped investigators piece together the circumstances leading to their deaths and identify the financial fraud.

Judicial Custody Ordered

Chirag has been remanded to judicial custody as the investigation continues. Authorities are also probing if others were involved in the scam or aided the accused in laundering the stolen funds.