An octogenarian retired government official and his wife tragically took their own lives at their residence in Belagavi, Karnataka, after enduring nearly three months of blackmail, threats of digital arrest, and harassment from online fraudsters, according to police reports. This incident may represent the first such case in the country linked to this escalating issue.
Diego Santan Nazareth, aged 83, and his 80-year-old wife Flaviana were discovered deceased in their home in Khanapur, Belagavi. Diego reportedly left a note in English that implicated two individuals who had extorted Rs 5 lakh from them. The couple, who had no children, did not reach out to neighbors or law enforcement for assistance, as noted by Belagavi Superintendent of Police Bhimashankar Guled, who urged the public to report any suspicious calls without delay.
Flaviana’s body was located inside their home, while Diego’s was retrieved from a sump outside. Authorities indicated that both individuals had ingested pills to end their lives, and Diego had also attempted to cut his neck with a sickle before jumping into the water tank.
In the note, Diego, a former employee of the Maharashtra government, detailed how he and his wife had been targeted by Sumit Birra and Anil Yadav since January of this year. The pair, posing as telecom officials from Delhi, accused the couple of misusing their mobile SIM card for “criminal activities” and threatened them with digital arrest. After coercing the couple into giving them Rs 5 lakh, they continued to demand additional funds, as stated in the note.
Diego also mentioned in the note that they had taken gold and “friendly loans” from acquaintances in Goa and Mumbai, requesting that these debts be settled from the proceeds of their property sales.
In accordance with Diego’s wishes expressed in the note, the couple’s remains have been donated to the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS) for research purposes.
