A 29-year-old fisherman from Kerala has been arrested by Delhi Police for allegedly defrauding a retired army colonel of over ₹18.8 lakh, after luring him into a fake foreign exchange (forex) investment scheme promising high returns.
The accused, Sreejith Rajendran, a resident of Azheekal in Kollam district, was taken into custody from his hometown following a thorough investigation, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police Harsh Indora.
Lured By Lavish Lifestyles
Though Sreejith studied only up to Class 10 and worked as a fisherman, he reportedly got involved in the scam after being introduced to the world of cyber fraud by a friend who flaunted a flashy lifestyle, allegedly funded by similar deceitful means. Seduced by the prospect of quick wealth, he joined the racket.
Earlier, another accused in the same case, Sunil from Jodhpur, was arrested. However, the alleged mastermind, identified as Anandhu Lal, also from Kollam, is still absconding, police said.
How The Fraud Unfolded
According to the police, the victim — a retired army colonel — fell into the trap in December 2023, after receiving repeated unsolicited calls and messages from a woman claiming to be “Cute Arvin Anghita.”
She allegedly convinced him to invest in the forex market, assuring attractive returns. Over time, the victim was persuaded to invest repeatedly, and when he later tried to withdraw his money, he was asked to pay additional “processing” charges. In total, the colonel transferred ₹18,80,818.
The fraud came to light after the victim lodged a complaint, prompting Delhi Police to file an FIR on August 31, 2024, under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, and launch an investigation.
Money Laundering Trail
During the probe, police traced the money trail across multiple bank accounts, most of which were opened using forged documents and fake contact details.
One significant transaction — a deposit of ₹5.93 lakh — was traced to a bank account in Oachira, Kollam, held by Sreejith Rajendran. Investigators found that the money was withdrawn in cash on the same day, raising further suspicion.
A Delhi Police team travelled to Kerala and apprehended Sreejith from Azheekal. He is now in custody, and efforts are underway to locate and arrest the other accused, particularly the main conspirator Anandhu Lal.
Police are also probing whether more victims may have been duped using similar tactics and whether this gang has links to larger fraud syndicates operating across India.
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