Youth cheated with foreign job bait, father ends life

He took the extreme step after being cheated of Rs 5.47 lakh by a woman who promised to get a job as a driver for his son in Cyprus.

He doused petrol and set himself ablaze on the premises of the Theni Collectorate on Wednesday evening at around 6.30 pm.

Theni Superintendent of Police V Baskaran, said that 11 months ago, Muniyandi, a labourer in a cooperative mill, gave the said amount to Mariaselvam, daughter of Manuvel, the accused, residing in Chennai. The money was credited to her account during May and June last year after she promised to get a driver job for his son Balamurugan (25). As there was no response from Mariaselvam, Muniyandi lodged a complaint with the Theni District Crime Branch on October 12. His son Balamurugan also lodged a complaint seeking action on January 22.

Frustrated over the money not being returned, Muniyandi resorted to suicide by self-immolation.

Investigations revealed that Mariaselvam also swindled money to the tune of Rs 12.53 lakh from Arivazhagan of Theni and Govindarajan of Madurai, promising them jobs abroad.

A team headed off to Chennai to arrest her, the SP said.