Mumbai Man Extorted ₹30,000 After Grindr Meetup

A 31-year-old man from Govandi was allegedly lured through the dating app Grindr and held captive by a group of men who blackmailed him with a nude video and extorted ₹30,000 from him.

The incident occurred on July 30 when the victim, a project coordinator at a private company in Bandra-Kurla Complex, downloaded the Grindr app on his mother's mobile phone and began chatting with a profile that later shared a mobile number.

After verifying the number on Truecaller, the victim continued the conversation on WhatsApp and was asked to meet near Karbala Masjid in Gautam Nagar, Govandi. When he reached the spot, he was approached by a man identifying himself as Arun Shinde, who took him to a nearby house.

Inside the house, two more men entered the room, revealing that the first accused had used a false identity. One of them allegedly brandished a kitchen knife and, along with the others, forced the victim to strip before recording a nude video.

The accused allegedly threatened to circulate the video on social media unless the victim paid ₹30,000. A fourth accused, identified as Tabrez, allegedly assaulted the victim, after which the gang forced him to reveal his phone and Google Pay passwords and transferred ₹30,000 from his bank account.

The victim approached the Deonar Police three days later and filed a complaint. An FIR has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act.

The police have booked four accused in connection with the incident and have launched an investigation. The incident highlights the risks associated with online dating and the importance of being cautious when meeting strangers.

In recent years, there have been several cases of extortion and blackmail reported in Mumbai, with many victims being targeted through online dating apps. The police have advised citizens to be vigilant when using such apps and to report any suspicious activity immediately.

The incident has also raised concerns about the safety of the LGBTQ+ community in Mumbai, with many members of the community expressing fears about being targeted by extortionists and blackmailers.

The police are taking steps to increase awareness about the risks associated with online dating and to provide support to victims of extortion and blackmail.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and the police are working to apprehend the accused and bring them to justice.

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of being cautious when using online dating apps and of the need for increased awareness and support for victims of extortion and blackmail.