Malappuram: A Mali man has landed in police custody for swindling money after sending a mobile phone message about winning big prize money.
A Malappuram police team, led by CI A Premjith, caught Teva Isahab, 39, who belongs to Mali's Bamako city, with the help of Karipur police from a lodge near the airport. He was arrested on the basis of a cheating complaint filed by a Kottakkal native.
The Kottakal native was tricked into paying money after sending him a message saying that he has won 2.50 lakh dollars in prize money. Isahab maintained frequent contact with the Kottakkal native to gain his confidence. A sum of Rs 30,000 was to be given as service charge when the prize money was handed over to the Kottakkal native.
On December 15, the Kottakkal native was asked to come to the lodge near the Karipur airport to collect the prize. The Kottakal man, who grew suspicious of the deal, passed the information to the police.
On police advice, the man went to the lodge and handed over the service charge amount to Isahab. Cops then barged in and arrested Isahab. The accused was presented in the Majeri court and remanded in custody. The police are inquiring if the man has committed similar frauds earlier.
Iodine and vitamin C for dollar fraud
The Mali native had also promised to convert black paper into dollar. He used iodine and vitamin C bought from a medical shop for this purpose.
His modus operandi was to initially apply glue on two dollar notes. When he applies iodine, the notes turn black. These notes are kept among other black paper bundles.
Later, the black notes are dipped in water containing vitamin C so that the notes return to their original color. He claimed that by using this liquid black paper can be converted into dollars.
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