Hyderabad dating app scam: Gang of 7 arrested from Nagpur
The scam involved pub owners, in collaboration with women, lured businessmen through dating apps and extort money from them
Hyderabad: The Madhapur police arrested seven persons involved in a recent online dating scam which came to light after a man was trapped and forced to pay Rs 40,505 in a pub located in Gachibowli on June 6. Upon checking Google reviews about the pub, he found similar complaints from others who had been scammed and trapped in the same way.
The scam involved pub owners, in collaboration with women, lured businessmen through dating apps and extort money from them.
According to police, the accused identified as Aakash Kumar, Suraj Kumar, Akshat Narula, Tarun, Shiv Raj Nayak, Rohith Kumar and Cherkupally Sai Kumar, were arrested in Nagpur.
Explaining the modus operandi, DCP (Madhapur) Dr G. Vineeth said that during the course of investigation, it was revealed that they allegedly lured innocent customers via an online dating app, inviting them to Mosh Pub in Madhapur, where they were coerced into buying expensive liquor. The total amount defrauded was estimated to be Rs 30 lakh from 50 to 60 victims.
The accused operated a nightclub named Devils Night Club in Delhi. They recruited girls who were looking for job and used their profiles on online dating apps to attract customers creating fake profiles on dating apps, he said adding that Suraj Kumar would chat with men pretending to be woman and allow women to first meet at cafe then manipulate the victims into going to the pub.
“The gang members would serve the customers and ensure high bills. After running up into high bills, the women would disappear, leaving the customers to pay. The bills were then split among the pub owner, organisers and the girls. This scam was previously executed in Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad and was being planned for Nagpur. Some victims reported the scam to the police, leading to further investigation,” the DCP added.
“We urge the public to report any suspicious activities related to dating app scams immediately and to report any information about gangs using such apps to trap customers in pubs and bars to the police through Dial 100 or Cyberabad anti-drug abuse helpline at 9490617182 or WhatsApp 9490617444. The details will be kept confidential,” he explained
Police seized eight smart mobile phones, cars worth Rs 40 lakh. A case has been registered under sections 406, 419 and 420 of the IPC.