Goa Crime Branch Cracks Down on Digital Prostitution Network, Apprehends Three Accused
In a significant crackdown on cyber-enabled illicit activities, the Crime Branch of Goa Police on Thursday arrested three individuals for their alleged involvement in the unlawful creation, operation, and management of websites disseminating sexually explicit and objectionable content. The operation has unveiled a sophisticated online prostitution racket with connections spanning multiple major Indian cities.
Surveillance and FIR Lead to Major Breakthrough
A combined team from the Crime Branch and the Social Media Monitoring Cell had been closely monitoring numerous escort websites suspected of illegal activities. This surveillance culminated in the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) on March 9 against 22 such websites, all of which were subsequently blocked by authorities.
"Our technical investigation into these platforms identified Narayan Rao, a resident of Karnataka, as a key operator alongside other accomplices," stated Crime Branch Superintendent of Police Rahul Gupta, detailing the initial phase of the probe.
Coordinated Raids and Arrests Across Goa
Following the identification of suspects, the Crime Branch mobilized multiple specialized teams that fanned out across various locations in Goa. Leveraging advanced technical assistance and actionable human intelligence, law enforcement executed a successful raid at a premises where Narayan Rao was residing.
During the operation, police apprehended three individuals: 40-year-old Narayan Rao from Karnataka, 33-year-old Shahbaz Khan, a native of Madhya Pradesh, and 36-year-old Manjunath Shah Shetty, also a resident of Karnataka. The arrests were made in the Nerul area, and all three accused have been remanded to three days of police custody for further interrogation.
Evidence Collection and Financial Trail Uncovered
The raid yielded crucial digital evidence, including a mobile phone whose number was prominently displayed on one of the escort websites. Additionally, authorities seized a laptop and four other mobile phones, which are currently undergoing forensic analysis.
"Examination of bank account details revealed that all three accused received payments from clients via Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions. This financial trail conclusively proved their earnings were derived from prostitution activities," explained SP Rahul Gupta. Consequently, provisions of the Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act have been invoked against the arrested individuals.
Unraveling a Nationwide Prostitution Racket
Preliminary custodial interrogation and analysis of the seized electronic devices have exposed that Narayan Rao is the alleged mastermind behind a far-reaching prostitution network operational in several metropolitan cities across India. The racket reportedly has ties to organized prostitution activities in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Jaipur, Delhi, and other urban centers.
The Crime Branch is intensively scrutinizing the financial transactions of all accused persons and is actively searching for clients who made payments through the online platforms. In a decisive move, authorities have frozen the bank account of the main accused, which contained approximately Rs 2.3 lakh, to prevent further illicit fund flows.
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings
This case highlights the escalating challenge of cyber-facilitated crimes and the proactive measures being undertaken by law enforcement agencies to combat digital platforms used for illegal activities. The Goa Crime Branch continues its thorough investigation, aiming to dismantle the entire network and bring all involved parties to justice.
The arrest underscores the critical role of technological surveillance and inter-departmental coordination in tackling modern criminal enterprises that exploit the internet for unlawful gains.
