Thiruvananthapuram | The second of two employees of a private gold finance company who allegedly attempted suicide after a major gold-pledging fraud died while undergoing treatment in Vizhinjam here, police said on Monday.
The deceased was identified as Aishwarya (34), a native of Venganoor.
Another employee, Anju (28), also a native of Venganoor, had died on Saturday after the two allegedly consumed poison on June 30.
Police have arrested Sindhu, a native of Panangode, in connection with the case.
Officials said more complaints alleging financial fraud have been received against her following her arrest.
According to the police, Anju and Aishwarya, who worked at separate branches of a private gold loan company, allegedly handed over around 70 sovereigns of gold pledged by customers to Sindhu after she allegedly promised them a commission.
Police said Sindhu had told them the ornaments would be pledged with other financial institutions offering lower interest rates and that the two employees would receive a commission from the transactions.
The alleged fraud came to light after customers sought the return of their pledged ornaments, following which the company's management became aware of the irregularities.
Police said Anju and Aishwarya later approached Sindhu and asked her to return the ornaments.
However, Sindhu allegedly refused, claiming that she had already sold the gold, police said.
Unable to return the ornaments to their rightful owners, the two employees allegedly came under severe mental stress.
Police said they initially managed to replace some of the ornaments by borrowing money.
However, as more customers approached the company seeking the return of their pledged gold, Anju and Aishwarya found themselves in deeper trouble.
On June 30, the two allegedly consumed poison mixed with juice after leaving behind a suicide note, police said.
Based on the suicide note and a preliminary investigation, Vizhinjam police registered a case and arrested Sindhu on Sunday.
Police said several people have since approached them with complaints against Sindhu, alleging that she was involved in financial fraud and had siphoned off their money and gold.
Separate cheating cases will be registered based on the complaints, police said.
Police suspect that more people, including private moneylenders, may be linked to Sindhu, and their roles are under investigation, officials added.
