London School Of Economics Graduate Among 3 Caught For Cyber Extortion Case From Thailand
whatsappA joint team of PS DBG Road and PS Cyber, Central District, Delhi Police, have arrested three men, including one graduate from the London School of Economics, in connection with a money extortion case. The group allegedly tried extorting money through international WhatsApp calls and cryptocurrency payments, reported PTI, citing officials.
According to the officials, the trio posed as associates of a notorious gangster to instil fear in their victims. They were traced to Thailand, where they had fled to evade detection, and were arrested upon their return to India.
The incident came to light after a complainant approached PS DBG Road, reporting a threatening WhatsApp call from an international number. In the complaint, it was alleged that the caller, who claimed to be a well-known gangster, demanded money and sent a cryptocurrency QR code for payment. The threats intensified when the victim was warned that his children would be shot if he didn't comply.
The police filed a complaint under Section 308(4) BNS, and an investigation into the case was launched. Technical teams employed advanced and paid cyber tools to trace the international WhatsApp call and the origin of the cryptocurrency QR code—both of which were linked to Thailand.
The officials tracked down the accused in coordination with i4C, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and analysed previous crypto transactions, ultimately tracking the suspects in Thailand.
While Indian surveillance teams monitored their local addresses, authorities moved quickly once the suspects re-entered India, leading to their immediate arrest.
During interrogation, the trio confessed to being under severe financial stress and were seeking an 'easy way" out.
They have been identified as Sumit, a resident of West Punjabi Bagh, Delhi, Prince from Roshanara Road, near Pulbangash, and Nitish, a resident of DLF Capital Green, Moti Nagar, Delhi, and an LSE master's graduate.
(With PTI inputs)
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