Police in Nashik have taken swift action against a disturbing case of digital extortion. Officers from the Ahilyanagar police station arrested three individuals for trying to extort a substantial sum of money from a local hotelier. The criminals used threats involving private photographs to pressure their victim.
Details of the Extortion Attempt
The incident began on January 1st. The hotelier, who operates in the Shrigonda area, received a startling WhatsApp message. An unknown person claimed to possess compromising private pictures of the hotelier. This individual demanded a payment of Rs20 lakh. The threat was clear. If the money was not paid, the pictures would be released publicly on the internet.
Initial Payment and Escalated Threats
Fearing for his reputation, the hotelier made an initial payment. He transferred Rs 1.5 lakh to the suspect. However, this partial payment only angered the extortionist. The demands became more violent. The hotelier then received threats against his life and the safety of his family members. This escalation forced the victim to seek help from the authorities.
Police Investigation and Arrests
The hotelier approached the Shrigonda police station and filed a formal complaint. He reported the ongoing threats and the extortion demands. Police officers launched an immediate investigation. They utilized technical analysis to trace the digital footprints left by the suspect.
This forensic work led them to identify the primary accused as Akash More, a 24-year-old resident of Shrigonda. Acting on this information, police teams moved quickly. On January 15th, they arrested Akash More. During the operation, they also apprehended his two associates.
Identities of the Accused
The arrested individuals have been named as:
- Akash More, aged 24.
- Bapu Shinde, aged 31.
- Kiran Shinde, aged 29.
All three men are from the Shrigonda area.
Modus Operandi Revealed
Police Inspector Kiran Shinde of the Shrigonda police station provided further insight into the case. He stated that Akash More worked at a mobile phone repair shop. Through his work, he somehow obtained the hotelier's contact number. More then initiated contact and began his campaign of threats.
The accused falsely claimed to have private photographs of the hotelier. He repeatedly threatened to upload these pictures to the internet unless his financial demands were met. This case highlights the risks associated with digital communication and personal data.
Authorities have registered a case against the trio. The investigation is ongoing to determine if they were involved in similar crimes. The police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any such extortion attempts immediately.
