The Delhi Police have arrested the alleged kingpin of a sextortion racket from Rajasthan, officials said on Friday. The accused, identified as Ravi Kumar, was apprehended from a hideout in Alwar district. He is believed to be the mastermind behind a network that targeted victims across the country through social media platforms.
Modus Operandi
The racket operated by creating fake profiles on social media, primarily targeting men. The accused would befriend victims and then engage in video calls, during which compromising footage was recorded. Subsequently, the victims were threatened with the release of these videos unless they paid hefty sums of money. The amounts extorted ranged from a few thousand to several lakhs of rupees.
Investigation and Arrest
The arrest came after a series of complaints were filed with the Delhi Police's Cyber Crime Unit. The investigation involved tracking digital footprints and analyzing financial transactions. The police traced the accused to a remote location in Rajasthan, where he was hiding. A team was dispatched, and after a meticulous operation, Ravi Kumar was taken into custody. Several electronic devices, including laptops and mobile phones, were seized from his possession.
During interrogation, Kumar revealed that he had been running the racket for over two years, with associates in other states. He used multiple bank accounts and digital wallets to collect the extorted money. The police are now working to identify and arrest other members of the network.
Police Advisory
The Delhi Police have urged citizens to be cautious while interacting with strangers on social media. They advise against sharing personal information or engaging in video calls with unknown individuals. In case of any such incident, victims are encouraged to report immediately to the cyber crime helpline or visit the nearest police station. The police also emphasized the importance of not succumbing to blackmail and instead seeking legal recourse.
This arrest is part of a larger crackdown on cyber crimes in the national capital. The Delhi Police have set up specialized units to deal with online fraud and extortion cases. They are also conducting awareness campaigns to educate the public about the risks of sextortion and other cyber threats.
