Police in Faridabad, Haryana, have busted an inter-state extortion and robbery syndicate that targeted individuals through online dating platforms. The Crime Branch Badkhal unit executed the operation, arresting two women involved in the fraudulent scheme. Investigations revealed that the arrested individuals are a mother and daughter duo who operated systematically to deceive users on the dating app Tinder, eventually stealing their belongings and extorting large sums of money.
The Scheme of Drugging Victims and Blackmail
According to the police, the suspect duo specifically targeted individuals who appeared to be financially well-off based on their dating app profiles. After establishing initial contact on Tinder, the women built rapport with their targets by engaging in friendly conversations over a period of time. Once they earned the victim's trust, they proposed an in-person meeting and invited them to a local hotel room.
During the meeting inside the hotel room, the suspects spiked the victim's beverage with a intoxicating or sedative substance. As soon as the victim lost consciousness or was incapacitated, the mother and daughter gathered all available cash, jewelry, and valuable possessions before fleeing the scene. In cases where immediate robbery was not the sole outcome, or when seeking additional financial gain, they threatened the victims with false rape accusations. Exploiting the fear of social stigma and legal troubles, the duo successfully extorted substantial sums of money from their targets.
Operations Spanning Across Andaman, Surat, and Delhi-NCR
Initial interrogations conducted by the Crime Branch Badkhal indicate that the criminal network's operations extended far beyond local boundaries. The suspect duo has executed similar fraudulent schemes across multiple jurisdictions, including Andaman, Surat, and various parts of the Delhi-NCR region. Their widespread network suggests a organized pattern of luring and blackmailing victims in different states.
Currently, the Crime Branch team is subjecting both suspects to detailed questioning to uncover the full extent of their illegal activities. Law enforcement officers are working to identify other potential accomplices associated with the syndicate and to consolidate records of all past crimes committed by the duo across different locations.
Police Advisory on Online Dating Safety
Following the crackdown on the racket, Faridabad Police issued a public advisory urging citizens to exercise extreme caution while interacting with strangers on dating applications and social media platforms. Authorities advised individuals against blindly trusting online acquaintances or agreeing to meet unfamiliar persons in secluded locations or hotel rooms.
Furthermore, law enforcement officials urged anyone facing blackmail, threats of false legal cases, or demands for illegal extortion to immediately contact the police or the nearest crime branch, assuring prompt legal action against offenders.
