Three accused, including a minor, were taken into custody for allegedly threatening students and young couples with photos and videos and demanding cash
Raichur Rural Police arrested two men and a minor accused of allegedly blackmailing medical students and young couples using photos and videos while demanding cash.
Raichur: Raichur Rural Police have arrested a gang of three people accused of allegedly extorting money from medical students and young men and women by taking their photographs and videos and threatening to circulate them online.
The accused have been identified as Suresh, Tausheef and a minor. Police have taken all three into custody and registered a case at Raichur Rural Police Station in connection with the alleged extortion and blackmailing activities.
Gang Allegedly Targeted Medical Students And Young Couples
According to the preliminary information, the accused allegedly targeted medical students and young people who were out at night.
In one recent incident, the gang reportedly followed a medical student who had gone to a dhaba with a friend for dinner. The accused allegedly recorded photographs and videos of the students before threatening to make the material public on social media unless they paid money.
The accused allegedly went further by taking the students’ bike keys and harassing them. They reportedly collected Rs. 30,000 in cash initially and subsequently demanded more money.
Accused Allegedly Demanded Cash To Avoid Digital Trail
Police reportedly found that the accused deliberately preferred cash transactions instead of receiving money through online payment platforms.
The gang allegedly feared that digital payments through services such as PhonePe could create a transaction trail and make it easier for police to track them.
As a result, the accused reportedly devised a method of collecting cash from their targets at petrol pumps, allegedly using QR codes to facilitate the process.
Raichur Rural Police Bust Alleged Extortion Network
The alleged method of operation eventually came under the police radar, leading to the arrest of Suresh, Tausheef and a minor.
Police are investigating the alleged network and examining whether the accused were involved in other similar incidents involving medical students, couples or other young people.
The investigation will also seek to establish the number of people allegedly targeted by the group and the total amount of money collected through the alleged blackmailing operation.
Case Registered At Raichur Rural Police Station
A case has been registered at Raichur Rural Police Station, and further investigation is underway.
Police are examining the allegations that the accused used photographs and videos to threaten victims with social media exposure and allegedly extorted money from them.
The arrests have brought the alleged extortion operation to an end for now, while investigators continue to gather evidence and establish the full extent of the activities.
