Elderly couple in Karnataka dies by suicide after online fraud harassment, threats of 'digital arrest'

An elderly couple died by suicide in Khanapur taluk, Belagavi district, on Thursday evening after being targeted by online fraudsters. Diego Santan Nazareth, 83, and his wife, Flaviana, 80, were found dead in their home, reported TOI.

Police recovered Flaviana’s body inside the house and Diego’s from a water tank outside.

TOI reported citing the police that the couple ingested pills. Diego had also attempted to cut his throat with a sickle before entering the water tank.


Moreover. a suicide note left by Diego was found that explained that they had been harassed and threatened by individuals claiming to be telecom officials from New Delhi since January. The fraudsters accused the couple of misusing their SIM card for criminal activities and threatened them with a “digital arrest.”

The note ifurther dentified the alleged perpetrators as Sumit Birra and Anil Yadav.

Meanwhile, the couple had been initially defrauded of Rs 5 lakh, and the demands for money continued. Diego wrote that they took loans from people in Goa and Mumbai to meet these demands, hoping to repay them by selling their properties, said TOI.

Belagavi Superintendent of Police Bhimashankar Guled expressed concern and urged the public to report suspicious calls.

“Unfortunately, the couple didn’t inform the neighbours or police,” he told TOI. Police have collected a mobile phone, the suicide note, and a sickle as evidence. The couple's bodies have been donated to BIMS Medical College, as per their wishes.