Wayanad: Kalpetta police arrested a man in connection with a job fraud case involving a fake employment offer in the United Kingdom. The accused, Johnson Xavier (51), a resident of Muttil, was arrested from Kozhikode on Friday afternoon. His wife, Anna Grace Austin, a social media influencer, has been named the prime accused and has already filed an anticipatory bail application.

The couple allegedly deceived a young woman from Attingal, Thiruvananthapuram, and her relatives by promising to secure a caretaker visa for the UK. Between August 2023 and May 2024, they reportedly extorted ₹44,71,675.

The victim came into contact with the accused through advertisements on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. The fraudsters assured her that they would arrange superior medical facilities in the UK for her autistic child and that the family could settle there.

Multiple cases registered
Following complaints, police launched an investigation and tracked down Johnson Xavier to a flat in Kozhikode. Apart from Kalpetta, cases against the couple have been registered at the Kalamassery and Koorachundu police stations.

According to police, three cases have been filed against them, and further investigations are underway to determine if more people have fallen victim to their scam.

The arrest was carried out by a team led by Kalpetta DySP PL Shaiju.