A youth, native of Kasargod district working in Kakkanad has reportedly complained to the Cyber Cell of Kochi city police that a suspected member of Islamic State (IS) had attempted to lure him in to the terror group by sending messages through WhatsApp.

 

The youth had been receiving text messages, images and audio clips in Arabic from the number +1(509)871-0700, which is suspected by police as a US based satellite number. The person who reportedly sent the messages from this number had introduced himself as Shami and he added the complainant to a group named Dawlathul Islam Dwah.

 

 When the youth saw IS flag’s image in some messages he quit from the group, but took screen shots of messages and videos, which was later handed over to the police.

 

The New Indian Express reports that the police officials are yet to confirm whether the messages were indeed sent as part of the IS’ attempts to recruit youth from Kerala as the preliminary investigation could not establish any direct link between the messages and the militant group.

 

“From the evidences received, we doubt whether it had originated from the terrorist organisation. Investigation is going on with the assistance of cyber experts,” M P Dinesh, City Police Commissioner told TNIE.