In a significant breakthrough, Kerala police have arrested five individuals involved in a fraudulent scheme that extorted Rs30 lakh from a businessman. The suspects posed as Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials to deceive victims in the Vittal police station area.
The investigation began on the night of January 3, 2025, when three primary suspects—Anil Fernandes (49), Sachin T S (29), and Shabin S (27)—were arrested in Kollam, Kerala. They were implicated in a well-coordinated scam targeting a businessman from Bolanthur Narsha.
Further investigation led to the arrest of Sirajuddin (37), a local resident, on February 15, 2025. His cooperation with authorities helped track down Mohammed Iqbal (38), a resident of Bantwal, and Mohammed Ansar (27) from Padil, Mangaluru.
In a major revelation, Shafir Babu (48), an assistant sub-inspector at the Kodungallur police station in Thrissur district, Kerala, was identified as the mastermind behind the operation. Babu’s involvement has raised serious concerns due to his position in law enforcement, undermining public trust in the system.
The investigation was led by District Superintendent of Police Shri Yatheesh N, IPS, who organized four specialized teams across various police stations in the district to tackle the case. Their diligent work was crucial in uncovering the fraud and preventing future scams of this nature.
