Gang members allegedly posed as police officers and YouTube representatives to threaten victims with arrest; North District Cyber Police arrest four accused (Pankaj Rai)
New Delhi: The North District Police have dealt a major blow to an organised cybercrime gang allegedly extorting money from victims by threatening them with obscene videos, fake arrests and social humiliation. The Cyber Police Station of North District has arrested four accused in connection with an alleged Mewati sextortion racket, exposing a fraud involving ₹14.63 lakh.
Police have recovered three mobile phones and six SIM cards from the accused. The investigation has also revealed transactions exceeding ₹1 crore linked to suspicious bank accounts, along with connections to 15 cybercrime complaints from different states.
North District DCP Niharika Bhatt said an obscene video was sent to the WhatsApp account of Manjeet Singh, a sewadar at a gurudwara. The accused subsequently contacted him while posing as Gurugram police personnel and YouTube representatives.
They allegedly claimed that a case had been registered against him for watching the video. Threatening him with arrest, legal action and social humiliation, they demanded money in exchange for removing the video from platforms such as YouTube and Facebook and getting his name removed from the alleged FIR.
Under pressure and out of fear, the victim transferred money multiple times from his own and his nephew's bank accounts between September 11 and September 27, 2025. The total amount allegedly defrauded was ₹14,63,999.19.
The victim later discussed the matter with a relative, realised that he had been cheated and filed a complaint with the cyber police through the cybercrime helpline 1930.
The investigation revealed that the gang allegedly used an app called 'Friends Search' to obtain mobile numbers. The accused would then make WhatsApp video calls while playing obscene videos on another phone, creating the impression of a real interaction.
They allegedly recorded the calls and used the footage to blackmail victims. Gang members posed as police officers and YouTube representatives, threatening victims with arrest, while the extorted money was withdrawn through various suspicious bank accounts.
According to the police, Imran Khan allegedly played a key role in the gang. He is accused of arranging SIM cards, mobile phones and bank accounts, as well as facilitating the withdrawal of the extorted money.
Samad Khan is accused of providing bank accounts, while Ankit Saini and Tasleem Raja allegedly helped by allowing their bank accounts to be used.
Police said a technical analysis of approximately 100 suspicious numbers, including mobile numbers and associated IMEI details, led investigators towards the area around Rajasthan's Deeg district.
The operation was conducted by a team comprising Sub-Inspector Sumit Kumar, Head Constable Ram Kishan and Constable Mohin Ali under the supervision of Rohit Gehlot, Station House Officer of North District Cyber Police Station.
The operation was guided by ACP Operations Vishesh Dhatterwal and Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Ram Dulhesh Meena. Overall supervision was provided by North District DCP Niharika Bhatt.
The police are continuing their investigation to identify other members of the alleged gang, trace the complete flow of the extorted money and identify additional victims.
The case highlights the risks associated with sextortion scams in which criminals exploit fear of arrest and public embarrassment to extort money. Police advise victims of cybercrime to report such incidents promptly through the national cybercrime helpline 1930.
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