How Did Delhi Police Uncover a Major Sextortion Racket?

Synopsis
In a significant breakthrough, the Delhi Police have dismantled a sextortion syndicate operating from Mewat, Haryana. This operation led to the arrest of three suspects who exploited victims through elaborate scams. The investigation was initiated after a victim reported a theft of nearly Rs 14 lakh, shedding light on the dark world of online fraud.
Key Takeaways
- Delhi Police dismantled a major sextortion racket.
- Three individuals were arrested for their involvement.
- The victims were manipulated through WhatsApp video calls.
- Blackmail tactics included threats of fabricated sexual harassment cases.
- Police action was initiated following a substantial report of fraud.
New Delhi, June 5 (NationPress) The Delhi Police have successfully dismantled a significant sextortion ring that was operating from the Mewat area in Haryana. A statement released on Thursday confirmed that three individuals have been arrested in connection with this illegal operation.
The suspects allegedly impersonated Crime Branch officers and coerced victims by threatening them with false allegations of sexual harassment.
Using WhatsApp video calls, they displayed fake explicit videos and recorded the victims in compromising situations. These recordings were later employed as leverage for blackmail, demanding money from the victims.
The police took action after a complaint from a man who reported being swindled out of nearly Rs 14 lakh.
The victim indicated that he received a WhatsApp video call from an unidentified number that played an explicit video. During the call, the woman manipulated him into revealing himself, which was recorded.
Later, the victim received three obscene videos of himself from the fraudsters. Shortly after, he received another call from someone claiming to be a Crime Branch officer who threatened him, demanding Rs 1.5 lakh to erase the videos.
The scam intensified when the fraudster falsely claimed that the woman involved was a minor and that the victim's phone was under surveillance. They escalated their demands to Rs 2.5 lakh and then Rs 4 lakh.
Subsequently, the scammers warned that the woman had allegedly taken her own life, threatening the victim with arrest unless he paid Rs 6 lakh to resolve the issue.
Out of fear, the victim complied with their demands and ultimately lost about Rs 14 lakh.
Based on the complaint details, the West District Police registered a case and launched an extensive investigation, forming a special team to look into the matter.
Through their investigation, police tracked the financial transactions back to the Mewat region and Sikri, District Deeg, Rajasthan. The suspects were identified as Javed and Vasim, both from Rajasthan.
A raid at Vasim’s home in Mewat led to his capture as he attempted to escape. Another raid at Javed’s residence also resulted in his arrest.
During interrogation, the suspects disclosed that Khalid, another Rajasthan resident, was responsible for recording the victim's video. A subsequent raid at Khalid’s home led to his arrest as well.
Police recovered two mobile devices used in the crime from Khalid’s possession. All three suspects have been remanded to judicial custody.