In a heartbreaking incident in Karnataka’s Belagavi district, an elderly couple ended their lives after falling victim to a cyber scam that cost them over ₹50 lakh.

DS Nazareth (81) and his wife, Flaviana Nazareth (79), residents of Beedi village, died by suicide on Thursday, leaving behind detailed death notes.

According to police reports, Nazareth received messages from an unknown sender claiming that his ID card was being misused by cybercriminals and instructing him to contact the crime branch. Belagavi Superintendent of Police Bheemashankar Guled stated that the scammers, posing as officials, allegedly intimidated the couple and extorted more money from them.

In his death note, Nazareth described the cyber fraud but clarified that no one else was responsible for their decision, as they had been content and financially independent. The note also mentioned that they had accumulated significant debts and suggested pawning his wife’s jewelry to settle their dues.

The Nandagada Police have registered a case under the IT Act for cybercrime, along with an abetment to suicide case based on names mentioned in the note. The Belagavi district CEN Crime Police Station is leading the investigation to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.