In a shocking case of extortion, Nanded City Police have arrested two individuals who allegedly targeted visitors to Budhwar Peth, a red-light area in Pune.
The accused, Ayush Raju Chougule and Sadaf Pathan, allegedly followed a man from Budhwar Peth to his home and threatened to defame him publicly unless he paid ₹20,000.
According to police, the accused told the victim to transfer the money online or face public humiliation for visiting the area. When the victim hesitated, the accused reportedly called the police helpline themselves and falsely claimed that the victim had taken ₹20,000 from them under false pretenses.
Upon investigating, the Nanded City Police discovered that the complaint was fabricated and that the two accused were attempting to extort money from the victim. Both were immediately taken into custody and booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
This case has brought attention to a new type of blackmail scam targeting individuals for personal shaming.
Speaking to The Free Press Journal, Atul Bhose, Senior Police Inspector, Nanded City Police Station, said, "The accused are residents of Wakad. This could be a new modus operandi for looting victims. The victim lives in Nanded City. The accused followed him to his home and made an allegation that he took ₹20,000 in cash from them. However, as of now, we have investigated the matter and found that the allegations by the accused are false. The victim has not taken any cash from the accused. How many people have been cheated so far by this method is part of the investigation. Soon, everything will be out."
