Noida: Four members of a gang involved in robbing and blackmailing unsuspecting victims they had met on an online dating app were arrested on Thursday, police said.The accused are Sushank Singh, Praveen, Rohit Kumar and Babu. All four are educated up to Class 10-12. A diamond solitaire, a gold chain and Rs 14,530 in cash were from their possession, an officer added.According to additional deputy commissioner of police Manisha Singh, the accused targeted victims using fake identities on the dating app Grindr. The gang created fraudulent profiles to establish contact with individuals and invited them to meet at rented accommodations. There, they were blackmailed and coerced into handing over valuables.Police said the gang’s presence came to light after a complaint was lodged at the Sector 126 police station on March 23 reporting a similar incident.Investigations revealed that Singh and Kumar are the masterminds of the gang and planned the crimes systematically. To avoid detection, the accused rented rooms using fake Aadhaar cards and concealed their real identities. They used multiple mobile numbers and fake profiles across dating platforms to choose their targets.Once a victim agreed to meet, they were called to the rented room on the pretext of a date. The accused would then manipulate the situation to place the victim in a compromising position. Other gang members were then called in to record photos and videos. The victims were subsequently threatened with the circulation of the compromising photos to their families and social contacts.Under fear and pressure, victims were forced to hand over cash, jewellery and other valuables, the officer said. In several cases, the accused also compelled victims to transfer money online. If anyone resisted, they were assaulted.Police added that the gang had been operating for a significant period and targeting multiple individuals using similar tactics. Background verification revealed Kumar has a prior criminal history and was previously jailed in another case. Authorities believe the gang may have targeted several more people and are now investigating additional complaints linked to the group.A case has been registered against the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and further investigation is underway to determine the full extent of their operations.Police officials have also issued an advisory urging citizens to remain cautious while interacting with strangers on online platforms, especially dating applications. Users have been advised not to share personal information and avoid meeting unknown individuals in isolated or private locations without proper verification.Similar incidents have been reported in Noida earlier this year. On Jan 15, a youth was held hostage and robbed in Sector 39 after being called to meet through a dating app. On Feb 3, miscreants robbed a victim at knifepoint in Sector 58 after inviting him for a date while another incident in the Expressway area involved assault and forced online money transfer. On March 28, a victim was blackmailed for Rs 50,000 after being lured to meet through a dating platform. A case was registered in the matter at the Sector 113 police station and three persons were arrested.Grindr is a location-based dating and social networking application widely used to connect with nearby people. Police said criminals often misuse such platforms by creating fake profiles to target users, highlighting the need for increased awareness and digital caution.
