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A 72-year-old financier was allegedly threatened and cheated of ₹20.97 lakh by a couple in Adambakkam, following which the Chennai police arrested the husband and wife on Friday (November 13, 2026).
The complainant, Sankaran, a resident of Thillai Ganga Nagar in Adambakkam, works as a cashier at a restaurant and has been engaged in the money-lending business for the past 15 years.
According to the police, Nalini, who worked as a dishwasher at the same restaurant, approached Sankaran in April seeking money to pay an advance for a rented house. He initially lent her ₹30,000 and later gave her another ₹2.5 lakh on interest after she sought financial assistance citing various reasons.
Nalini claimed when she subsequently brought ₹2.5 lakh to repay the loan, the police intercepted her and questioned her about the source of the money. She further claimed to avoid exposing Sankaran’s usurious money lending, she allegedly named another person as the lender.
Later, Nalini, her husband Surya Premkumar, and her uncle Mani allegedly approached Sankaran with claims that the person had been arrested and jailed, and that money was required to secure his release on bail. They also allegedly told him that the person had died.
Using various excuses and threats, the trio allegedly collected ₹20.97 lakh from Sankaran in instalments through GPay and cash.
The accused also allegedly threatened him over phone calls, warning his entire family would be murdered if he failed to pay them money.
Based on Sankaran’s complaint seeking action against the three persons and recovery of his money, the crime wing of the Adambakkam police registered a case under cheating and other relevant sections and conducted an investigation.
A police team led by the crime wing Inspector arrested Surya Premkumar, 39, of Sammattipuram in Madurai district, and his wife Nalini, 30. A mobile phone allegedly used in the offence was seized.
The arrested couple were produced before a court on November 13 and remanded to judicial custody.
Published – November 14, 2026 04:21 pm IST
