Kasaragod: Four persons, including a couple, were arrested for cheating a businessman on the pretext of marriage and later extorting money through blackmailing.

Nayanmarmoola-native Sajida (30), Pariyaram-native Iqbal and Aramanganam native NA Ummar (41) and his wife Fathima (35) were arrested by the Hosdurg Police on the complaint of Abdul Sathar, a Kochiite who cheated of 7.5 sovereigns of gold and Rs 3.75 lakh.

It all began when the accused couple Ummar and Fathima, through a marriage broker, contacted trader Abdul Sathar on pretext of a marriage proposal. They made Sathar believe that Sajida was their daughter. Subsequently, the 'marriage' between Sathar and Sajida was held t Kanhangad on August 2. After marriage, a rented apartment at Kovalpalli area was given to Sathar and Sajida to stay.

Police say that the businessman was later blackmailed with videos of his intimate moments with Sajida.

The victim had approached the police when the quartet demanded more money.

According to the police, Sajida is accused in many honey trap cases registered in Kannur and Kasaragod districts.

The police team led by Kanjangad DySP Dr V Balakrishnan nabbed the accused.