The Delhi Police has arrested four alleged members of an organised sextortion cyber-fraud syndicate operating in the Mewat region, exposing a network that allegedly used obscene video calls, impersonation of police officials and arrest threats to extort money from victims.
Another member of the syndicate, identified as Yasir, allegedly impersonated police officials and YouTube representatives, threatening victims with arrest, legal action and social humiliation unless they paid money. READ MORE| Ex-Judge, 90, Duped Of Rs 2.5 Crore In ‘Digital Arrest’ Cyber Scam In Jaipur
Police said the syndicate used an application called “Friends Search” to identify potential victims by entering mobile numbers associated with cities or areas and searching for adjoining numbers. The extorted amount was routed through multiple bank accounts allegedly arranged by members of the network before being withdrawn and handed over to other associates, police said.
The accused allegedly threatened to arrest the victim in a fake criminal case and claimed that he would have to pay money to remove the video from social media platforms.
The accused allegedly threatened to arrest him in a fake criminal case and claimed that he would have to pay money to remove the video from social media platforms and get his name removed from the purported FIR. He later realised that he had been cheated and approached the cyber police, following which a case was registered. Under pressure, the victim transferred Rs 14,63,999 through multiple transactions from his own and his nephew’s bank accounts.
