The Delhi Police on Friday arrested four men for operating two ‘gay sextortion gangs’ in south east Delhi who used a popular online dating app, Grindr, to trap their victims. The suspects have been identified as Arun Kumar alias Chotu (22), Vishal Kohli (24), Rajesh Kumar (42) and Anuj alias Banda (21).
These predators employed a new modus operandi, creating fake profiles on the Grindr app and then engaging in friendly conversations with their victims. They lured their unsuspecting marks into compromising situations and filmed them, then using the footage to threaten them with exposure by sharing it with friends and family.
The first incident involved the victim contacting an individual named Rahul on Grindr. Rahul arranged a meeting at Vinobapuri Metro Station, however when the victim arrived two individuals burst in and recorded a video of him. The criminals then demanded two lakh rupees to keep the video a secret. Fearing retribution, the victim complied and paid using the ‘Phonepe’ app.
In the second incident, the victim encountered a man called Nikhil on Grindr. They agreed to meet at Mohan Estate Metro station, however when the victim arrived he was met by three people wielding sticks and knives. The perpetrators then extorted Rs. 33,000 through the Paytm platform.
Using the information obtained from both cases, the police were able to successfully apprehend Arun, Vishal and Rajesh from the Loni area of Ghaziabad, and Anuj from Shahbad Dairy. Investigations into both cases are ongoing to uncover more information about the gangs and to track down the remaining perpetrators.
The arrest has highlighted the reality of sextortion and how sex offenders can use technology and online spaces to gain access to unsuspecting victims. This case also serves to remind us why it is so important to stay vigilant when using online platforms, be aware of potential traps, and always try to maintain a strong online presence.
The company mentioned in this article is Phonepe, an Indian digital payments platform which offers safe and secure mobile payment services. Founded in 2015, the firm is supported by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and operates through UPI (Unified Payment Interface).
The individual mentioned in this article is Rajesh Deo, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast). Rajesh Deo has been working in the Delhi Police Force since 1991 and has had numerous successes in nabbing criminals during his tenure. He has worked on some of the most high-profile cases in the city and is remembered for his dedication and determination to rid the streets of Delhi of criminal activity.
