Telecom fraud: 3 more Mangaluru expats freed from Saudi prison after 13 years

[email protected] (CD Network)
May 8, 2016

Jeddah, May 8: Three of the four hapless Indian expatriates from Mangaluru, who had been languishing in jail in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after being trapped in an illegal call routing (Hundi) case, have finally been released.

prison
After paying negotiated fine amount to Saudi Telecom Company, judge Saad Al Garni who is chairing the probe into the case had recently ordered the release of three prisoners.

Saudi officials confirmed that Riyaz Bajpe and Fairoos Ullal have been deported on May 7 from Jeddah International Airport and Nasir Bunder is waiting for his turn at the deportation center.

As per the complaint registered by Saudi Telecom Company in March 2003, as many as eight expatriate workers, all of them from Mangaluru and surrounding areas, had been implicated for allegedly passing and routing of illegal telephone calls and were sentenced to eight years of imprisonment by a Saudi Court. The accused were also asked by the Court to pay a fine of 6.7 million Saudi Riyals to the company.

However, even after serving more than a decade in jail most of them could not walk free from Jeddah jail as they were not able to pay the fine.

According to their family members these unfortunate expats have been made scapegoats for others' wrongdoings while they were unable to communicate in Arabic or English language. Apparently they were quite new to the Kingdom and they were exploited of their ignorance and were trapped as they are unaware of the situation in the gulf country.

A few philanthropic Indian businessmen in Saudi Arabia had paid a huge amount of money as fine through Indian consulate for the cause the release of these prisoners. NRI organisations such as India Fraternity Forum had also had taken up the issue with Indian Consulate in Jeddah several times.

Also Read: 

Emotional homecoming for Mangalorean youth after 9 years in Saudi prison

Comments

kohinoor metal
 - 
Monday, 9 May 2016

great work IFF MAY ALLAH BLESS UR WORK

anh
 - 
Monday, 9 May 2016

Good work done by Indian Feternity Forum and all the Donors. May Allah accept their good deeds.
IFF has been doing social works from many years for NRIs in KSA on humanity base.

Sohail
 - 
Monday, 9 May 2016

great relief for family. Good work by IFF.

Mohammad Azhar dubai
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

Good work by IFF team .

Sohrab
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

Congratulations to the persons released, the families, Mangaloreans, Kannadigas, all Indians in India and abroad. Good efforts and good work by IFF. Hatts off to their team and all those who have supported in this case. Its easy to comment. Not an easy task when we are out of our homeland. The cases runto generations.

Moosa B
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

Dear Brother Bunaz, Appreciate your comment and I know its very easy to sit inside the AC room and comment about the scenario at the end.

You defintely lack knowledge in this matter.

Their actual prison period was 8 years, but they were unable to come out as they were charged with huge fine of SAR 6.7 millions. IFF coordinated very well with Consulate and other officials and Lawyer was appointed by IFF as well. Finally they were successful in reducing the fine amount.

Thats when generous good hearted Mangalorean Business men joined their hands to support IFF to pay the needy amount.

If need be please contact nearest IFF office if you need further information on this.

Ismail
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

Masha Allah great work by iff , without iff effort and doners it couldn't happend. I closely watch this issue , and iff also donated some part of amount in this case and effort also done by iff. So some political party taking this opportunity by wrong way. When they had power they couldn't do any single help for this guys. But now they need name in this. Any how people will know about iff . They don't need any name , Masha Allah by there work and effort people recognized iff by lot of cases handled by iff. We know recently they had work for jubail incident, helped there family members to took body to india. Masha Allah great work by iff , keep it up . May Allah bless u both iff and doners . Ameen ya rub

Mohammed
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

Masha Allah good work by IFF. keep going.

And Bunaz..if you think making follo up with authority to get them released then you should have tried.
Don't get jealous ..try to appreciate people's work or keep quite.

Bunaz
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

In many years Iff and other organizations tried to solve but unfortunately they couldn't do that .
I don't agree without donor it could be .
Then why IFF couldn't do in the early years
They got enough punishment 13 years in jail . Easily IFF got credit
May Allah bless the donors

syed
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

Alhamdulillah....good job done by iff and some indian businessmen in jubail.

Shahul
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

Alhamdulilla

A big salute to kind heart generous Mangalorean business fraternity. without their help it was impossible to get release.

Mohammed Irfan
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

Great job INDIAN FRATERNITY FORUM (IFF)... It was really a long struggle .... Alhamdulillah at the end of the day u have done really a great job ...... May Almighty Allah reward you...

kaleel
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

Alhamdlilah...
Masha Allah ..great work IFF had taken up issue and hard work with support of Indian businessmen, dua of all
May Allah give good health those who work behind this issue, keep doing hard work towards to humanity.

IBRAHIM
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

Masha allha great work by india fraternity forum .
with the help of great business donor's ,
may allha bless both of them.

nazeer
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

Great work IFF Masha Allah, May Allah Accept the good deed.

asif
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

Masha Allah Great Work 'Indian Fraternity forum (IFF) Allah Accept all u r good deeds..

A. Mangalore
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

The highest credit should go to Mangalorean Businessmen who paid a huge amount of money to STC. Without their contribution it would have never been a release for them. IFF coordination is also appreciable.
The youngsters should learn the lesson from this episode that to earn money they should not go for a haram way to become a quick rich. There are still lots of people who are doing wrong way to earn money in the gulf. It is a warning call for all of them.

S.Asif Thodar
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

Masha Allah....Great work Indian Fraternity Forum (IFF)

Abu Afhaam
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

Masha Allah great job done by India Fraternity Forum, kudos to all the donars who joined hands. May allah accept all these things from you. Expatriates in the kingdom are still facing many issues, request with IFF and all selfless donars to join togather and work for the needy.

Abdul Latheef …
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

This is great Achievement of India Fraternity forum. Keep It up.

abdul salam
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

Masha Allah

Great Work done by IFF.

Sajid valavoor
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

Masha ALLAH ...great job done by India fraternity forum with the support of kind hearted business people's, this shows if we unite to serve the community with all kind of support, nothing is impossible. ALLAH may accept this good deed and give it's hajar to one all, those who directly or indirectly supported this ...IFF hats off ... continue your service to the community...!!

Ahmed
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

Great work from INDIA FRATERNITY FORUM (IFF).... MASHALLAH

Kaizer
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

Well done IFF, it was not an easy case to handle yet Iff has achieved it and released them and made their families happy , truly the rewards for this will be given by ALLAH immensely .
May Allah accept the noble work and keep doing this kind of social work to humanity

Moosa B
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

Great Work IFF and Team! Keep it up!!

Moosa B
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

Great Work IFF Masha Allah!! May Allah Accept the good deed!!!

Mr
 - 
Sunday, 8 May 2016

Congratulations IFF May Allha accept all ur good deeds....

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru police have arrested a 27-year-old NRI on his return from Saudi Arabia in connection with an Instagram post allegedly containing derogatory and provocative remarks about the Hindu religion, officials said on Monday.

The accused, Abdul Khader Nehad, a resident of Ulaibettu in Mangaluru, was working in Saudi Arabia when the post was uploaded, police said.

A suo motu case was registered at the Bajpe police station on October 11 after an allegedly offensive post circulated from the Instagram account ‘team_sdpi_2025’. Police said the content was flagged for being provocative and derogatory in nature.

During the investigation, technical analysis traced the Instagram post to Nehad, who was residing abroad at the time, a senior police officer said. Based on these findings, a Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued against him.

On December 14, Nehad arrived from Saudi Arabia at Calicut International Airport in Kerala, where he was taken into custody on arrival. Police said further investigation is underway.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
December 4,2025

Udupi: A 40-year-old NRI from Udupi has reportedly lost more than Rs 12.25 lakh in an online investment scam operated through Telegram.

According to a complaint filed at the CEN police station, Leo Jerome Mendonsa, who has been working in Dubai for the past 15 years in computer accessories sales, maintains NRI accounts in Karkala and Nitte.

On November 12, 2025, Mendonsa was added to a Telegram group called Instaflow Earnings by unknown individuals. Users identified as Priya and Dipannita persuaded him to invest in “Revenue Tasks.” Initially, Mendonsa transferred Rs 1,100 multiple times and received the promised returns, encouraging him to continue.

On November 14, another user, Nishmitha Shetty, directed him to register on a website, digitvisionuoce.cc, and invest Rs 4 lakh in various shares. Over the next few days, he made multiple transfers totaling Rs 12,25,000, including Rs 50,000 via Google Pay, believing the scheme was legitimate.

After receiving the money, the alleged handlers stopped responding, and neither the invested amount nor the promised profits were returned.

The CEN police have registered a case under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and investigations are ongoing.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
December 2,2025

DKSsiddu.jpg

Bengaluru: 'Nati koli saaru' (country chicken curry) considered one of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s favourites along with steaming hot idlis was on the breakfast menu at Deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s residence on Tuesday, according to official sources.

The spread also included 'nati koli' fry, vada and pongal, among other items, they said.

In an apparent show of unity, Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumar’s residence for breakfast, just days after the two leaders shared a meal amid a simmering power tussle in the state Congress.

Siddaramaiah drove to the Deputy CM’s residence in Sadashivanagar, where he was received by Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh, who is a former Congress MP.

Suresh and Kunigal MLA H D Ranganath, a relative of Shivakumar, joined them for breakfast, which featured a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

Speaking to reporters later, Siddaramaiah said Shivakumar had invited him during his visit to the CM’s residence for breakfast on Saturday.

Asked about the difference between the two meals, the chief minister said, "At his (Shivakumar’s) house it was non-veg, while at my house it was veg. He is a vegetarian, I am a non-vegetarian. I had not prepared non-veg. I told DK to get chicken from the village as you won’t get the original in Bengaluru."

Shivakumar said he had initially invited Siddaramaiah to his residence, but the CM had suggested visiting his place first and reciprocating later. "It was a vegetarian breakfast at the CM’s house on Saturday," he noted.

"Today, I invited him (the CM) to my house. He enjoyed the breakfast, which had his Mysuru taste," Shivakumar added. At this point, Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar’s wife is also from Mysuru.

Saturday’s breakfast at Siddaramaiah’s official residence, held as part of efforts by the Congress high command to ease tensions in the leadership dispute between the two, reportedly included idlis and sambar, according to official sources.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.