Kochi couple arrested for Rs 30 crore blackmail of IT firm owner

Kochi: A couple from Kochi has been taken into custody by the Ernakulam Central Police for allegedly blackmailing and threatening an IT firm owner into parting with a significant sum of money. The police confirmed that the arrest of the duo, identified as Krishna Raj and his wife Shweta Babu, has been recorded, and an investigation into the matter is actively underway. They are expected to be produced before a local court soon for judicial remand.

As reported by IANS, the couple devised a scheme to extort money from the IT honcho, whose firm Shweta had recently resigned from. They allegedly threatened the businessman, stating that if he failed to pay Rs 30 crore to Shweta, she would falsely accuse him of being involved in an extramarital relationship with her and also level charges of sexual assault.

The couple reportedly arranged a meeting with the businessman and two other employees of the firm last week. During this meeting, they escalated their threats, warning the businessman of dire consequences, including imprisonment on sexual assault charges, if their demand for Rs 30 crore was not met. They specifically instructed him to immediately transfer Rs 10 crore and hand over two cheques, each for Rs 10 crore.

Under duress, the businessman initially transferred Rs 50,000 into their bank account and prepared the two cheques for Rs 10 crore each. However, he subsequently contacted the police. Following a tactful operation by the authorities, the couple was successfully trapped and taken into custody.

A subsequent search by the police led to the recovery of the two cheques, each valued at Rs 10 crore, signed by the IT firm owner. Following this crucial discovery, the couple was formally arrested. During the preliminary investigation, both Krishna Raj and Shweta Babu reportedly confessed to the crime. Police are continuing their investigation to ascertain if more individuals are involved in the blackmail scheme.

With inputs from IANS