Authorities in Kadambazhipuram, Kerala, have launched an urgent investigation and search for a 61-year-old woman who disappeared last week. Her disappearance is believed to be connected to a devastating cyber fraud where she lost a substantial sum of money.
Prema, wife of Balasubramanian from Alangattu Challiyil, Kadambazhipuram, has been reported missing since late on September 13. She became the victim of a sophisticated cyber scam, which resulted in her being swindled out of ₹11 lakh. This significant amount was tragically raised by pledging her gold jewelry, with assistance from a neighbor.
Fluent in Hindi, Odia, and Malayalam, Ms. Prema was deceived by the fraudsters who made her believe she had won a massive ₹15 crore in an online lottery. They then convinced her to transfer ₹11 lakh as a ‘service charge’ to facilitate the release of her supposed winnings.
On September 2, Prema transferred the ₹11 lakh to three different accounts specified by the scammers. However, on September 10, when the fraudsters demanded an additional ₹5 lakh, she realized the cruel deception.
Reportedly distraught and overwhelmed by the financial loss, Prema was captured on surveillance camera footage leaving her home around midnight on September 13. She was later seen boarding a KSRTC bus in the early hours of September 14, bound for Guruvayur. Since her arrival in Guruvayur, she has not been seen or traced.
Police efforts are now focused on locating Ms. Prema, who is believed to have left without her mobile phone. Investigators are exploring all possibilities, including whether she continued her journey from Guruvayur by bus or train, as the search intensifies to bring her safely home.