In a significant breakthrough, Ghaziabad Police have uncovered a gang that lured people through dating apps to rob them. On Thursday, police arrested eight individuals, including five women and two café owners from Delhi, for their involvement in the racket. The arrests were made after a raid at Tiger Café near Kaushambi Metro Station. The key suspects include Khalid alias Imran from Shaheednagar, and his associates Nadeem and Sumit from Delhi.
According to DCP Trans Hindon Nimish Patil, the case came to light when a Delhi-based ambulance driver filed a complaint. He reported that a woman, who befriended him via a dating app, invited him to meet her on October 21. Upon his arrival at the café, the gang held him hostage and extorted ₹6,500. They further demanded ₹50,000 and threatened to leak inappropriate videos if he didn’t comply.
How the Gang Operated
The café, owned by Khalid and partnered by Nadeem, ran normally for unsuspecting customers. However, when women from the gang brought in a target, the scam unfolded. A woman would place a small order, such as soft drinks and snacks. But, instead of a modest bill, the victim would be handed a ₹15,000-20,000 bill for items worth just ₹100-200. When victims protested, they were assaulted, held hostage, and robbed.
Over 50 Victims in a Year
According to ACP Indirapuram Swatantra Kumar Singh, the arrested women, all from Delhi, were initially café employees. Khalid introduced them to the idea of using dating apps to scam people, promising them half the earnings. The women soon left their regular jobs and joined the illegal scheme, which has been running for over a year. Police estimate that the gang has extorted money from more than 50 individuals during this period.
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