KOCHI: A mother and daughter were arrested in for stealing money after tampering with the account details of treatment help fund of a three year old child being treated at a private hospital in Kochi for a serious illness. Pala natives Mariamma Sebastian, 55, and Anita T Joseph (29) was arrested by Cheranalloor police. Her son Arun Joseph, who works at a travel agency in Kochi is in hiding.Treatment of Rayamangalam native Manmathan Praveen’s image was used on social media for fundraising. The child affected by neurofibromatosis needs a large sum of money for treatment every month.The payment was made on the basis of the account details. After downloading the post, the account number and Google Pay number was changed and was sent to various groups. The information was brought to the attention of the child’s father by a doctor who became suspicious regarding the account and Google Pay numbers.

A large sum of money reached Mariam’s account. This was transferred to Anitha’s account and up to Rs 1 lakh was withdrawn. Their account were frozen. Details of recent cash transfers has been sought. It is indicated that Arun is the center of intelligence of the thief. Ernakulam Central Asst. Commissioner K. Lalji said he would be arrested immediately. Anitha is a Chartered Accountant student.

Mariamma had earlier embezzled Rs 50 lakh; Son with fake note fraud

Mariamma is accused in embezzlement of Rs 50 lakhs at Pala Kizhathadiyur Co-operative Bank. Her son Arun was arrested in a fake note case. Both were arrested in 2018. Arun, who was running a photo studio in Pala, made color copies of Rs. 2000 and deposted via CDMA machines and withdrew it.

Arun was arrested shortly after the probe began. Mary, who was a cashier in Kizhathadiyur co-operative bank, was arrested after authorities, who were suspicious of the her absence, opened and searched the locker. An amount of Rs 50 lakh was found to be lost.