Car mishap on Dammam-Khobar Highway: Thousands mourn tragic death of 3 NRI best friends

coastaldigest.com news network
September 26, 2020

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Jeddah, Sept 26: Indians across Saudi Arabia, especially those hailing from southern state of Kerala, mourned the tragic death of three youth who lost their lives in a car crash.

Muhammad Shafeeq, Ansif, and Sanad, all aged 22, were involved in a car accident while they were returning after attending the National Day celebrations held in Al-Khobar on September 24. 

Their car lost control and turned upside down and hit some other cars near Dhahran while taking to a parallel road from the Dammam- Khobar Highway. All of them died on the spot and their car was completely mangled.

A large number of people, including relatives and friends, attended the funeral prayer and burial held on September 25.

The young men, who were born and brought up in Dammam, united in both life and death. Their parents had come from Kerala to Saudi Arabia more than two decades ago. They were childhood friends ever since their schooling at International Indian School, Dammam, from kindergarten onwards. They were laid to rest in graves close to each other in Dammam cemetery.

Social workers, led by Nas Vakkam, Jaafar Kondotty, and Shaji Wayanad, swung into action to complete all the procedures to facilitate their burial soon after the accident. A large number of people gathered at the premises of Dammam Medical Complex morgue where the bodies were kept and later at Dammam cemetery to pay last respects at around 2 p.m. on Friday.

It was heart-rending scenes when their family members and close friends bid adieu to the young men who were the most loved trio among the expatriate community. After education, Shafeeq who hailed from the Malappuram district was working along with his father Saidalavi Haji in a commercial establishment.

Ansif, from the Wayanad district, was pursuing his graduation in Bahrain while Sanad from Kozhikode was planning to continue higher studies after the lifting of the travel restrictions imposed following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

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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.

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News Network
November 26,2025

Mangaluru, Nov 26: Mangaluru East police have registered a case following a sophisticated online fraud where a 57-year-old local resident was allegedly cheated out of ₹13.4 lakh after being targeted on Facebook.

The scam began in February when the complainant, while browsing Facebook reels, was contacted by a woman identifying herself as "Lillian Mary George" from London. After establishing a chat relationship, the woman claimed she would visit India in November and bring a significant sum of money.

The trap was sprung on November 15, when the victim received a call from a woman named "Sonali Gupta," who claimed Lillian had arrived at Mumbai International Airport but was detained by customs. The fraudsters convinced the man that Lillian was carrying £25,000 (about ₹26 lakh) in traveller’s cheques and 1 kg of gold (valued at around ₹30 lakh).

Under the pretense of clearing these items, the victim was asked to make numerous online transfers between November 15 and 18 for various bogus charges, including:

•    "Pounds exchange registration"
•    "Customs declaration issues"
•    "Discount charges"
•    "Money-laundering charges"

Believing the fictitious story, the complainant transferred the cumulative sum of ₹13.4 lakh to various bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. He realised he was cheated when the culprits later promised a refund within two days but stopped answering his calls. The Mangaluru East police are now investigating the case, which highlights the continuing threat of transnational cyber fraud using social engineering and promises of fictitious wealth.

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