A Muslim religious scholar’s son and his friend allegedly cheated crores under the guise of a ‘Halal’ goat trade in Areekode, Malappuram. Mujahid preacher KV Abdul Latheef Moulavi’s son Saliq Ihsan Madani KV and an Edavanna native named Riyaz Babu Othayi scammed several people, extorted crores, and are now absconding. The scam victims filed a complaint with the Malappuram district police chief.
The accused exacted money by convincing investors that they would bring halal goats from Gujarat and Rajasthan and sell them in bulk. They initially developed this project in 2015 and started ‘operations’ in 2019. Their advertising campaign promised a completely halal investment according to Islamist religious beliefs.
Many Muslims fell into this trap and are now running around for their money. Most of those duped are from Malappuram and Kozhikode districts. Investors claimed that the financial/religious scamsters registered a company called Areekode Halal Goat Farm, and they believed it to be genuine. Areekode is a small town 30 km from Malappuram city.
The company issued one share against an investment of Rs.5,000. Some investors bought several such shares. Investors were promised a return of Rs 300 to Rs 500 per share. The conspirators also convinced their halal shareholders that they could withdraw their money anytime.
Initially, promised dividends were paid to investors, but it soon stopped. By then, many had invested several lakhs into the company. All of them have lost this money, and the fraudsters have gone into hiding. This was when Areekode Halal Goat Farm investors approached the police; until now, 134 people have filed complaints.
When contacted over the phone, Madani claimed that Othayi had swindled the money and that he was searching for Othayi. Shareholders said that the country codes of phone calls indicate they are in Sudan, Africa. Investors contacted their family members demanding money. But the family members of the Moulavi said they did not know their whereabouts and refused to compensate the victims.
