Alleged fake UPI payment: suspect arrested

The Feroke police have arrested a 29-year-old man in connection with an alleged fake UPI payment at a jewellery outlet in Ramanattukara.The accused, identified as Sabith, a native of Nanmanda, allegedly bought a 1.2-gram bracelet from the shop on September 19 and showed the staff a screenshot purportedly confirming the payment. He then left the shop within minutes, without making the payment, the police said.An investigation by the Feroke police, under the leadership of Assistant Commissioner A. Premjith and Beypore Circle Inspector Sreejith, found that the accused had allegedly visited the area earlier to familiarise himself with the escape routes.The police said the accused who was remanded in judicial custody on Wednesday (September 23, 2026) was suspected to have been involved in several similar fake UPI payments across Keralam. He had allegedly been moving between Kozhikode and Idukki and leading a lavish lifestyle.The investigation involved examining CCTV footage along the routes taken by the accused, gathering information, and monitoring persons involved in similar cases. The police also obtained assistance from the cyber cell. The interrogation of the accused provided leads in more than five similar cases, the police said. Published - September 24, 2026 07:46 pm IST