Two more cases filed against fraud accused woman

Udupi: Two additional cases of fraud and blackmail have been registered against 41-year-old Zeenath at the Udupi City police station, following her initial arrest on July 2.On July 2, a Udupi-based complainant reported that Zeenath, along with accomplices, had obtained Rs 70 lakh from them in installments for personal use.

When the complainant demanded repayment, Zeenath threatened to file a false rape case against them at the Women’s police station using their private photographs.

She also blackmailed the victim for an additional Rs 40 lakh, claiming to possess private photos of several prominent individuals. Following this, Udupi Town police registered a case under BNS Sections 308(6), 351(2), 318(2), and 3(5).Udupi SP Hariram Shankar said that the accused was arrested on the same day and remanded to five days of police custody.

During the investigation, police seized a pen drive containing obscene videos and screenshots of private photographs of various individuals. Further interrogation revealed that Zeenath had defrauded several other victims.Following the news of her arrest, a complainant from Manipal approached the police on July 8. The complainant had allegedly given Zeenath Rs 4.3 lakh in 2020. Zeenath had Geetha Rao with her during this transaction.

When the victim visited her home, they were subjected to abusive language and death threats by Zeenath and her brother’s wife.On the same day, another complainant from Bannanje, Udupi, reported that they operated a stock point from 2018 to 2022. During this time, they became acquainted with Zeenath and Geetha Rao. Zeenath allegedly recorded a video under the guise of taking a selfie and used it to blackmail the owner, threatening to make the video viral and file a false rape case if money was not paid. During this extortion, Zeenath collected Rs 36.8 lakh in installments.

The second accused, Geetha, also allegedly blackmailed the victim, extorting Rs 15 lakh, gold jewellery, and bank cheques.Udupi police are currently investigating all three cases, the SP said.