Indore Builder Faces Rs 5 Crore Extortion Threat from Alleged Lawrence Gang Member 'Harry Boxer'
A prominent builder in Indore, Vivek Dammani, was targeted in a chilling extortion attempt on Tuesday morning when he received a threatening call from an individual identifying himself as 'Harry Boxer,' who claimed to be a member of the notorious Lawrence gang. The caller demanded a staggering Rs 5 crore, threatening to kill Dammani's son if the amount was not paid promptly.
Details of the Threatening Call and Voice Message
According to DCP (crime branch) Rajesh Tripathi, the incident unfolded around 10:30 am when a WhatsApp call was made to Dammani's office located on Race Course Road. A female staff member answered the call, during which the caller issued a dire ultimatum. The caller explicitly stated, 'Tell Vivek Dammani to pay Rs 5 crore, or I will have his son shot anywhere.' He further warned that involving the police would be pointless and that he would only relent once the money was in his possession.
Initially dismissing it as a prank, the staff's alarm escalated when a follow-up threatening voice message arrived from the same number. In this message, the caller boasted of having real-time tracking capabilities for both the builder and his son's locations, intensifying the fear factor. The matter was immediately reported to the crime branch for urgent investigation.
Police Investigation and Security Measures
The crime branch, in collaboration with the cyber cell, has launched a comprehensive investigation into the case. Authorities are actively tracking the phone number used for the call, analyzing voice recordings, and examining IP addresses to pinpoint the caller's exact location. Investigations have revealed that 'Harry Boxer' is a known close associate of the Lawrence gang, adding credibility to the threat.
In response to the severity of the situation, the crime branch has significantly stepped up security for Vivek Dammani and his family. DCP Tripathi emphasized that the case is being handled with the utmost seriousness to ensure a swift arrest and prevent any harm to the victims.
Pattern of Similar Threats in Indore and Madhya Pradesh
This incident is not an isolated one in Indore. Approximately a month ago, another builder from the Tukoganj area, Sanjay Jain, received a similar threat, highlighting a concerning trend. Over recent months, five cases of extortion in the name of the Lawrence gang have surfaced across Madhya Pradesh, indicating a possible organized crime spree targeting builders and businessmen in the region.
The recurrence of such threats underscores the need for heightened vigilance and robust law enforcement action to curb these criminal activities and protect citizens from intimidation and violence.
