In a deeply troubling incident, an elderly woman in Kerala has fallen victim to an elaborate “surprise gift” cyber fraud, losing over ₹10 lakh to the cunning deception. Thrikkakara police have launched an investigation, registering a First Information Report (FIR) against an individual identified as Morgan Kelvin Alen from Kakkanad.
The scam began when the accused allegedly connected with the 59-year-old woman from Vazhakkala, Kochi, through social media, falsely claiming to be from the United Kingdom. He then spun a convincing tale, asserting he had dispatched a lavish surprise gift for her. This supposed gift, he claimed, was intercepted by Customs at Delhi airport because it contained high-value items like gold, electronic gadgets, and British currency.
The fraudster then pressured the unsuspecting victim, warning her that failure to pay the “customs duty” would lead to legal action against her. Panicked and fearing repercussions, the woman transferred a staggering ₹10,78,000 from her bank account to various accounts between July 27, 2025, and August 15, 2025. It was only on September 19, 2025, that she realized she had been tragically duped and promptly alerted the police.
The police have confirmed they are actively probing the financial transactions to trace the illicit flow of funds. This incident starkly highlights a common tactic used by cyber fraudsters.
A police officer emphasized, “This modus operandi is a well-known trick employed by cyber criminals. The case underscores the critical need for increased awareness, particularly among vulnerable populations, to protect themselves from such online deceptions.”
(Related: Kochi cyber police recently made their first arrest in a separate ₹25-crore fraud case, with a woman being remanded.)