NAGPUR: Mankapur police this week cracked a blackmailing racket operating through a gay dating mobile application, arresting five accused who allegedly extorted 10,000 from a man by creating fake profiles and misusing private chats. The arrests were made within 48 hours on June 24.Preliminary investigation revealed that the gang used the dating app to befriend victims, record sensitive conversations, and blackmail them for money.The incident came to light on June 22 when the complainant, who was a delivery partner, was contacted by the accused near Mankapur Chowk while he was on duty.The perpetrators demanded money via UPI and mobile wallets, allegedly threatening to leak compromising information and involve his family members.Mankapur Police registered a case and formed a team under the supervision of Zonal DCP Poornima Singh.Senior inspector Haresh Kalsekar led the investigation, which combined technical surveillance, forensics, and local intelligence.The arrested individuals, who hail from different localities and work at various places, have no prior criminal records, police said. Officers recovered mobile phones, UPI transaction details, chat screenshots, and other incriminating evidence linking them to the extortion.All five accused were produced before the court and remanded to police custody.Mankapur police have appealed the users of online dating platforms, to remain vigilant. “Avoid sharing personal or intimate details with strangers on unverified apps,” a senior officer said.
