Four Individuals Apprehended in Elaborate Mumbai Ransom Scheme
In a significant crackdown on cyber-enabled extortion, Mumbai police have arrested four people, including a citizen of Nepal, at the Lokmanya Tilak Terminal (LTT) in Kurla. The arrests occurred on February 19 as the accused allegedly arrived to collect a ransom of Rs 5 lakh from a jeweler based in Vile Parle (East).
Cyber Fraudsters Impersonate Notorious Gang
The incident unfolded when the jeweler received a threatening WhatsApp audio message demanding Rs 20 lakh. The sender falsely claimed to be a member of the infamous Lawrence Bishnoi gang, instilling fear to coerce payment. Police investigations revealed that this was a sophisticated cyber fraud operation, with the perpetrators exploiting the gang's notorious reputation to intimidate victims.
According to authorities, the amount was negotiated down to Rs 5 lakh, and the jeweler was instructed to drop the money at Kurla Terminus. A police team from Vile Parle laid a trap at LTT, leading to the arrest of the four accused as they attempted to collect the ransom on behalf of the cyber fraudsters.
Detailed Account of the Arrest and Investigation
Senior Inspector Gabaji Chimte of Vile Parle police provided insights into the case. "Cyber fraudsters are increasingly using the name of Lawrence Bishnoi to extort money through digital means," he stated. The police have deployed a team to Dhanbad in Jharkhand to apprehend the masterminds, believed to be part of the Jamtara gang, known for such cybercrimes.
The operation was meticulously planned. The jeweler, Ajit Jain, approached police after the threats escalated. On February 14, a voice call was made to negotiate the ransom, finalizing at Rs 5 lakh. Police in plain clothes monitored the drop location and, after the accused collected the money, chased them for approximately 200 meters. They were apprehended as they tried to flee in an autorickshaw, with the bag containing cash and their mobile phones recovered.
Identities and Backgrounds of the Accused
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
- Deepak Dangol (19), a resident of Pune
- Faizan Khan (27), also from Pune
- Majid Sajid Khan (21), residing in Govandi, Mumbai
- Sahil Ilyaz Shaikh (20), from Govandi, Mumbai
Police noted that two of the accused originally hail from Chhattisgarh and were currently living in Govandi and Cheetah Camp, while one was from Pune. During interrogation, Faizan Khan, who moved to Pune from Dhanbad a month ago and worked in a private firm, confessed that they were acting on instructions from two individuals named Imtiaz and Wasir, based in Dhanbad.
Code Word and Modus Operandi
The extortion plot involved a specific code word for the handover. The jeweler was told that the four men would use the code word 'LALPARI' twice before he should hand over the money. This detail highlights the organized nature of the operation, designed to ensure a smooth exchange under the guise of legitimacy.
This case underscores the growing trend of cyber fraudsters leveraging fear of criminal gangs to commit extortion, prompting heightened vigilance from law enforcement agencies. The Mumbai police's swift action has prevented a significant financial loss and disrupted a potentially wider network of such crimes.
