Bengaluru advocate orchestrates filmy-style kidnap, robs bitcoin

Bengaluru

In a sensational crime that mirrors a movie plot, a Bengaluru-based advocate, Suresh alias Maachu is accused of masterminding the kidnapping of a travel agency manager using a woman accomplice and a decoy cab. The gang extorted cash, stole mobile phones and robbed Bitcoin worth Rs 30 lakh.  

The kidnappers also demanded a staggering ₹2.5 crore ransom before finally abandoning the victim near Yeshwantpur. The FIR is registered at Ashoknagar police station and police have so far arrested four persons allegedly involved in the crime. The arrested are identified as Asif, Althaff, Suhel and Salman. The advocate Suresh and his accomplice Mahima and Shakib are absconding. The sources in the police say that Suresh was earlier involved in some poker clubs in the city.

The victim, identified as Larence Melvin who works as a manager at Ryan Tours and Travels, had returned to Bengaluru by flight on July 13, after visiting relatives in Kerala. He booked Room 732 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. The next evening, while he was in Indiranagar to deposit cash at a poker club, he received repeated WhatsApp calls from an old acquaintance, Mahima Vat (Accused No. 1). She insisted on meeting him and claimed to have booked a cab for them to meet.

Around 3:00 am on July 14, the victim stepped out, spotted a cab flashing its lights, and confirmed with the driver that it was booked by Mahima. Once inside, the driver avoided taking a U-turn and headed in an unfamiliar direction. Suddenly, two men entered the vehicle from both sides, overpowered him, blindfolded him, and assaulted him, said FIR.

They snatched his crossbody bag containing ₹1 lakh, stole two iPhones, and forced him to reveal passwords after physically assaulting him. The cab was then driven to an unknown service apartment, where he was tied up, blindfolded, and confined in a locked room. The kidnappers beat him regularly and demanded ₹50–60 lakh, threatening him with death if he didn’t comply.

One of the gang members told him that a ₹5 crore contract had been issued for his killing and that he could be handed over to those who paid for it. They demanded that the ransom be paid in cash. When he failed to meet the demand, they escalated the demand to ₹2.5 crore, saying he would otherwise be killed and his body disposed of. The accused also robbed bitcoins worth ₹ 30 lakh. Melvin talking to blrpost.com said one of the accused robbed bitcoins. Melvin also said Suresh who also identifies himself as Maachu is an advocate and knows him from a few years.

In captivity for about eight days, he was denied proper food and water, and at times, they used the threat of drugging him to coax him into cooperating. He was kept and tortured every day for money. On July 22, when they left the room locked from the outside, he shouted for help. A woman from the neighbouring apartment heard the screams and asked through the door what was happening. The victim asked the woman to contact his sister for help.

However, before the police could arrive, the kidnappers returned. On realising he had made contact outside, they panicked. In a hurried move, they forced him into a car and drove toward Tumakuru Road. Along the way, they warned him to remain silent to police, else he would be kidnapped again and killed. They also rehearsed, videographed a false statement for him to deliver if questioned.

Eventually, the gang abandoned him near Taj Hotel in Yelahanka and fled. He then contacted his sister and got help. Based on his statement, police registered an FIR and began a probe. The police arrested four persons and search is on for three others. 

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