The Delhi Police have apprehended the alleged kingpin of a widespread sextortion racket operating across states. The individual, identified as Abas Khan, aged 25, was arrested from the Mewat region of Rajasthan’s Alwar district. He is accused of defrauding a 21-year-old man of ₹2.52 lakh through a sophisticated online scam involving fake video calls and subsequent blackmail.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Khan, a resident of Alwar district, is believed to be involved in numerous sextortion and fraud cases. Police sources describe him as a significant operator within a larger cybercrime network responsible for targeting unsuspecting individuals.
The investigation was initiated following an online complaint lodged by a Delhi-based resident. The victim reported being subjected to extortion after receiving a friend request on a social media platform from an individual posing as a woman. Subsequent online interactions led to the sharing of the victim’s mobile number.
According to official statements, the complainant then received a video call during which obscene content was displayed. Immediately after the call concluded, the victim began receiving threats. These threats warned of the video’s circulation on social media platforms unless a sum of money was paid. The fear of public exposure and reputational damage prompted the victim to comply with the demands, transferring ₹2.52 lakh in multiple transactions.
An First Information Report (FIR) was registered on January 12 based on the victim’s complaint, triggering a comprehensive investigation by the police. Authorities utilized advanced digital forensic techniques to trace the perpetrators. Analysis of social media accounts, online profiles, digital footprints, and financial transactions provided crucial insights into the methods employed by the racket. It was determined that mule bank accounts and fake identities were extensively used to conceal the illicit operations and launder the defrauded funds.
The police team meticulously followed the operational footprints and digital trail, which ultimately led them to the Mewat region. A specialized team, with the cooperation of local police in Rajasthan, conducted a raid in a village within Alwar district. During this operation, Abas Khan was apprehended.
During preliminary interrogation, Khan reportedly confessed to the modus operandi of the racket. He disclosed that fake female profiles were created on social media platforms to lure potential victims. Once contact was established, screen-recorded video calls were used to capture compromising material, which was then leveraged for blackmail. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities actively working to identify and apprehend other members of the sextortion network and to uncover the full extent of their activities.
Cybercrime units are continuing their efforts to gather further evidence and dismantle the entire network. The focus remains on tracing the flow of money and identifying all individuals involved in the fraudulent scheme. The successful arrest marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to combat sophisticated online financial crimes and protect citizens from such predatory activities.
The Chenab Times News Desk