Mangalore: Police Arrest Female Suspect in Multiple Fraud Cases
Mangalore: Authorities from the Barke Police Station have apprehended a female suspect implicated in a series of fraud cases spanning Mangalore City, Dakshina Kannada, and Udupi districts. The arrest follows an investigation into Crime No. 77/2025, registered at the Barke Police Station under Sections 316(2), 318(2), 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)-2023.
The complainant, identified as Jayaraya, who operates Laptop Bazaar in Empire Mall, Mangalore City, reported being defrauded through the use of invalid checks. The accused, Farida Begum, also known as Farida, 28, wife of Ramiz Raj and a resident of Mutthur Village, Mangalore Taluk, allegedly purchased laptops from Jayaraya’s establishment using these fraudulent checks, resulting in a total loss of Rs 1,98,000 for the complainant. The items acquired through these means included: an Apple MacBook Pro A2141, a Dell 5440/Core i5-13/16GB, and an Apple MacBook Pro 2442 (2021 M1 PRO).
The investigation, conducted under the supervision of Mr. Mohan Kottari, Police Inspector of Barke Station, led to the identification and subsequent arrest of Farida Begum by Investigating Officer Vinayaka Toragal and the female police staff. The accused was presented before the Hon’ble Court on October 19, 2025, and has been remanded to judicial custody until November 3, 2025.
Preliminary investigations have revealed a pattern of deceit employed by the accused, wherein she allegedly targets jewelry and electronic stores, cultivates trust with the owners, and then defrauds them by purchasing valuable items using invalid bank checks.
Authorities have confirmed that fraud cases have already been registered against Farida Begum at the following police stations: Barke Police Station (1 case), Kavoor Police Station (1 case), Bajpe Police Station (1 case), Moodbidri Police Station (1 case), Mulki Police Station (1 case), Puttur City Police Station (3 cases), and Shirva Police Station, Udupi District (1 case).
Furthermore, a warrant remains outstanding against her in connection with the Mulki station case, stemming from her failure to appear for a court hearing after being granted bail. Police officials have also indicated that she is currently considered absconding in connection with the cases registered in Kavoor and Moodbidri stations. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging any other potential victims to come forward.