Palghar, Maharashtra: In a significant crackdown, the Anti-Extortion Unit of the Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar (MBVV) Crime Branch has arrested two individuals involved in a blackmail and extortion racket that lured victims using the dating app Tinder.
The case surfaced on July 11 at 2:15 am after a man lodged a complaint at Kashimira Police Station, revealing how he was trapped by a woman posing as a match on the dating platform.
According to the FIR, the accused, identified as Sagar Rawal, had created a fake Tinder profile using a woman’s identity and initiated a conversation with the victim. After gaining his trust, the victim was invited to meet at a Barista coffee outlet in JP North, Mira Road.
At the café, a woman accomplice of Rawal met the victim and allegedly told him she lived alone and could offer a relaxing massage. She then took him to an apartment in Apna Ghar Phase-2, Hatkesh. Once inside, the victim was asked to undress.
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Moments later, four other individuals, including the woman, entered the room. The group reportedly threatened the victim with defamation and demanded ₹10 lakh, citing the girl's "responsibility” and “marriage expenses.”
The victim was allegedly confined, verbally abused, and physically assaulted. The accused then snatched his gold chain, which was later taken to a known goldsmith and exchanged for ₹3.45 lakh.
Following the complaint, the Anti-Extortion Unit launched a parallel investigation alongside the Kashimira Police. Using technical analysis and local intelligence, the police traced and apprehended two key accused, Sagar Ramesh Rawal (26), a resident of JP North in Mira Road, and Rushabh Devendra Shinde (25), a resident of Kisannagar, Wagle Estate in Thane West.
During interrogation, both men confessed to their role in the crime and named other associates, including individuals identified as Paji, Sonu Shaikh, and the woman involved in luring the victim. Mobile phones valued at ₹1.48 lakh were recovered from the accused.
Both men have been handed over to Kashimira Police Station for further investigation, and efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining accomplices.
Police have urged citizens to exercise caution while using online dating platforms and report any suspicious encounters to authorities immediately.
