Thrissur: In a shocking turn of events, a Tamil Nadu man, Charles Benjamin (also known as Arun, 45), was murdered in the Thrissur district of Kerala, following a fraudulent scheme known as the rice-puller scam. Five individuals have been arrested in connection with his death, with reports indicating that around 12 people may have been involved in the incident.

What is the rice-puller scam?
The copper-iridium rice-puller scam is a deceptive scheme that targets individuals and businesses by claiming to sell or trade “rice pullers.” These are purportedly devices made from a combination of copper and iridium. 

It may be noted that copper and iridium are used to develop advanced materials with specific spin orientations, particularly in aerospace applications, including those by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). 

Scammers often assert that devices made from copper-iridium combination possess mystical properties, such as the ability to attract rice or bring wealth and luck, despite the absence of scientific evidence.

The scam usually involves inflated prices for these devices, coupled with promises of significant returns on investment. Victims are often pressured to invest quickly, which hampers critical thinking and decision-making, especially among those seeking quick financial gains or lacking scientific knowledge.

Details of the murder
According to police reports, Charles and a Chengannur native named Shashankan had allegedly taken a large sum of money from an individual in Kannur, claiming they could supply a rice-puller. When the promised supply did not materialise after several months, the scammed individual and his associates summoned Charles and Shashankan to Thrissur.

On Monday afternoon, they met under a bridge near the Paliyekara toll plaza, where the group abducted Charles and Shashankan and took them to an abandoned house in Kallur near Puthukkad. There, they interrogated the men about the iridium and subjected them to severe assault. The group then moved them to a location called Pattanthara, continuing the brutal beating. Around 4 PM, they transported the duo to Dhanesh, a group associate, at his rented house near Asmabi College, where the assault ultimately led to Charles's death.

Escape and aftermath
Realising that Charles had died, the group placed his body into a car and drove towards Kaipamangalam. They called an ambulance through Dhanesh's friend, falsely stating that Charles had been injured in an accident. The group informed the ambulance driver that they would follow in another vehicle and subsequently fled the scene.

The incident came to light when Shashankan managed to escape from the gang. He escaped the gang during the chaos at the rented house and sought refuge in a nearby bakery around 9 PM. He then contacted the Mathilakam police to report the situation.

Police probe
It was only upon the ambulance's arrival at the hospital that staff discovered Charles had died, while the group responsible for his death had fled. The police were alerted and quickly began their investigation, drawing on information provided by the ambulance driver and statements from Shashankan.

Police managed to identify the suspects using the number plate of the fleeing vehicle. The investigation, led by Kayipamangalam Inspector M. Shajahan, included evidence collection from the house near Asmabi College, where the assault took place. Blood stains were found inside the house, along with Charles's clothing discarded outside. Shashankan assisted the police during this crucial evidence-gathering process.