Chennai. A 47-year-old woman who had been on the run for nearly 10 years in two separate fraud cases registered by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) has been arrested by a special police team. The accused, identified as Latha, is alleged to have cheated two people of a combined ₹78.5 lakh. Arrest warrants had been issued against her in both cases in 2016 after she stopped appearing before the court.
According to the police, the first case dates back to a complaint filed in connection with an alleged fraud in 2008. Samiullah Khan, a resident of Triplicane, alleged that Latha and some employees associated with Jiffy Exports, a company operating in Nungambakkam, approached him with an investment proposal. They allegedly promised him a monthly return of 4% if he invested money in the firm.
Trusting the promise, Khan allegedly invested ₹35 lakh. However, he later alleged that the money was not returned and the promised returns were also not paid. Based on his complaint, the CCB registered a case in 2009. After completing the investigation, the police filed a charge sheet before the court.
The case was pending trial when Latha stopped appearing before the court. As she continued to remain absent, the court issued an arrest warrant against her in 2016.
Latha was also accused in a separate fraud case involving Anna Salai resident Iqbal Raja. The CCB registered the second case in 2009 after Raja alleged that she had cheated him of ₹43.5 lakh. She allegedly failed to appear before the court in this case as well and remained untraceable for several years. An arrest warrant was subsequently issued against her in 2016.
With both warrants remaining pending for years, the police intensified efforts to trace the accused. Investigators gathered information about her possible whereabouts and movements before identifying her location in Chennai.
The special police team arrested Latha from Chitlapakkam on Monday. Following her arrest, the police began the process of producing her before the concerned court in connection with the two cases.
The police said Latha had remained away from the judicial proceedings for several years despite charge sheets having already been filed in both cases. Her prolonged absence had delayed the proceedings against her.
The two cases together involve allegations of fraud amounting to ₹78.5 lakh. The police are also examining the role of other people who were associated with the company and the alleged transactions. Investigators are looking into how the money collected in the name of investment was handled and whether others were involved in the alleged fraud.
Further proceedings in the cases will depend on the evidence and allegations presented before the court.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
