Four arrested in Noida for blackmailing on dating app

Police arrested a 25-year-old from Bulandshahr; a 20-year-old from Mathura; a 23-year-old from Siwan, Bihar; and a 25-year-old from Baghpat from Sector 126

Four men were arrested on Thursday from Noida Sector 126 for allegedly taking comprising photos of a 45-year-old man and using them to extort him of gold jewellery and cash, police said. An investigation into the case found that the accused allegedly used a dating application to befriend victims who they then blackmailed for money.

“During the investigation it came to light that the suspects booked the PG to extort money from the victim. They all reside in Delhi,” the SHO said. (Representational image)

Police arrested a 25-year-old from Bulandshahr; a 20-year-old from Mathura; a 23-year-old from Siwan, Bihar; and a 25-year-old from Baghpat from Sector 126.

“It was revealed that the suspects were involved in duping men after befriending them through a social networking application. They used to make fake profiles and call them at their place to extort money after clicking compromising photos and videos,” said Manisha Singh, additional deputy commissioner of police, Noida.

Police said the incident took place on March 23. Based on the victim’s complaint, filed the same day, a case was registered under 308(2) (extortion) and 318(4) (cheating) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), said Sumnesh Kumar, station house officer (Sector 126). A team was also formed to trace the suspects.

According to the first information report (FIR), seen by HT, the victim, a tailor, alleged that a man who had befriended him through a dating application asked him to come to his location in Sector 126 on the pretext that he needed his clothes stitched.

When he reached, the accused took the victim to a paying guest (PG) in the area, where the three other men — friends of the accused — also arrived. They then forced him to take off his clothes, and took photos of him as well his identity cards.

“They blackmailed me and took my gold chain, diamond ring and ₹15,000 in cash,” said the victim, according to the FIR.

“During the investigation it came to light that the suspects booked the PG to extort money from the victim. They all reside in Delhi,” the SHO said. With the help of local intelligence, police were able to then find and arrest the accused.

According to the ADCP, “The 25-year-old from Bulandshahr and 23-year-old from Siwan were the masterminds. A gold chain, a diamond solitaire nugget and cash of ₹14,530 were recovered from their possession. Efforts are underway to scan their previous crime records.”