Four Jharkhand Men Arrested for Impersonating Bishnoi Gang in Mumbai Extortion Plot
In a significant crackdown, Mumbai police have apprehended four individuals from Wasseypur in Jharkhand for allegedly threatening a Borivali-based jeweller by posing as members of the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The accused demanded a hefty ransom of Rs 30 lakh, but authorities confirmed they have no actual connection to the Bishnoi criminal syndicate.
Detailed Timeline of Threats and Police Operation
The extortion scheme began on February 18 when the jewellery store's mobile number received a menacing text message from an international number at approximately 7:20 AM. The message explicitly stated, "Rs 30 lakh firauti tumko dena hai Lawrence Bishnoi giroh ko, agar manage na kiya toh jaise Baba Siddiqui ko mare hai, waisa hi tumko bhi maarenge..." This translated to a demand for Rs 30 lakh for the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, with a chilling warning that failure to comply would result in the jeweller meeting the same fate as Baba Siddiqui. The text further insisted the money be arranged within 24 hours for the Lawrence Bishnoi gang in America, threatening to gun down the jeweller and his family if ignored.
Store staff promptly informed the owner, but initial threats were not taken seriously. On February 19, the situation escalated with a WhatsApp call from another international number. The caller brazenly asked why the money had not been arranged and dared the staff to record the conversation, reiterating death threats and claiming "nobody from Borivali would be able to save them." After hanging up, the caller attempted another call that went unanswered, followed by a text warning of imminent gun violence.
By February 21, fresh threats arrived at 3:10 AM, prompting store staff to negotiate, offering a maximum of Rs 1 lakh to avoid further involvement. The caller responded dismissively via text, stating "Rs 10 lakh is used by kids for buying cigarettes," and warned the jeweller to be prepared to pay with his life. In a strategic move, staff bargained for bank account details to transfer Rs 4 lakh, buying time by claiming it was too late at night to proceed. This delay allowed the store owner to instruct staff to file a formal police complaint.
Police Trap and Arrest Details
Acting swiftly on the complaint, Mumbai police devised a clever trap. They instructed the jeweller to pretend he would pay the extortionists in gold coins. When the accused arrived to collect the supposed payment, law enforcement officials apprehended them from various locations across Mumbai, including Mahim, Bandra, and Jogeshwari.
The four arrested individuals have been identified as Riyazuddin Bashir, aged 29, Mohammad Fayaz Mansuri, 27, Mohammad Ashraful, 36, and Mohammad Arbaz Ansari, 27. Police investigations revealed that these accused were involved in similar extortion and threat cases in Vile Parle and DN Nagar, which have now been solved with their arrest.
This incident highlights the growing trend of criminals using the names of infamous gangs to instill fear and extort money from businesses. Authorities emphasize that such impersonation tactics are becoming more common, urging citizens to report threats immediately rather than negotiate. The successful operation demonstrates Mumbai police's commitment to combating organized crime and protecting local entrepreneurs from such predatory schemes.
