A 31-year-old newlywed from Mangaluru allegedly died by suicide after falling prey to a loan scam that drained him of ₹17 lakh. The fraudsters exploited his financial desperation and left him with crushing debt and no escape.
A Promise of Help Turns into a Deadly Trap
In a shocking incident that underscores the growing danger of digital scams, Aslam, a 31-year-old bus conductor from Gurupura Pete, Mangalore, ended his life after being cheated in a ₹17 lakh online loan fraud. Married on May 25 to a young woman from Bajal, Aslam had been under severe financial stress. That vulnerability made him an easy target. He was approached by cybercriminals claiming to offer a generous loan via a mobile app.
To “unlock” the loan, the fraudsters demanded a series of processing and transaction fees, which Aslam paid in instalments, reportedly borrowing heavily from friends and acquaintances to fulfil the increasing demands. But the loan never came, and the pressure escalated.
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Emotional Breakdown and Final Signs of Distress
On August 1, Aslam was seen visibly agitated during a phone call. That evening, his scooter and phone were found abandoned on the banks of the Gurupura River at Doninjeguttu.
His mobile, initially switched off due to battery loss, received two more calls from the fraudsters once recharged, but after news of Aslam’s death was conveyed, the line went abruptly dead.
Close friends revealed that Aslam was being harassed and manipulated until the very end. With mounting debt, no actual loan, and relentless pressure, Aslam saw no way out.
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Police Investigation and Growing Digital Danger
Authorities have registered a case and are probing the cybercrime angle. Investigators believe this case could be part of a larger scam ring targeting vulnerable individuals through fake digital loan schemes. Cybercrime officials are warning citizens to stay away from unsolicited loan offers via apps, links, or social media channels, and to report suspicious activity to police immediately.