An elderly couple in Karnataka’s Belagavi died by suicide after being harassed by cybercriminals who scammed them under the pretext of "digital arrest." The victims, identified as 83-year-old Diego Santan Nazareth and his wife Flaviana, were former government officials from Maharashtra. According to police, cybercriminals posing as Delhi Crime Branch officers contacted the couple in January. The scammers falsely claimed that their mobile ID and documents had been used in criminal activities. They then demanded ₹5 lakh to settle the matter. Out of fear, the couple transferred the money, but the extortion did not stop. Over time, the fraudsters coerced them into paying more than ₹50 lakh.
Despite paying the money, the threats continued, causing immense psychological distress. Unable to bear the harassment, the couple ended their lives at their home in Khanapur, Belagavi. Police found a suicide note in which the victims mentioned the fraud and the constant threats they received. Police discovered Flaviana’s body inside the house, while Diego’s body was found in a nearby drain. Investigators believe Flaviana consumed poison, whereas Diego first attempted to slit his throat before jumping into a water tank.
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Initially, police found the case suspicious. However, after examining the suicide note and the couple’s mobile phones, they confirmed it as a case of cyber fraud leading to suicide. This is the first reported suicide in the state linked to "digital arrest" fraud. The couple, who had no close relatives, had been suffering from stress for the past three months due to continuous threats. Police are now investigating the cybercriminals responsible for the scam.