New Delhi: The Delhi Police have arrested four people who were accused of duping at least 100, including the son of a police official, on the pretext of offering them jobs as escorts and masseuses in exchange for handsome salaries.
Those arrested Sunday include two men — Shubham Ahuja and Udit Mehta, and two women — Neha Chhabra and Archna Ahuja — from Janak Park in Delhi’s Hari Nagar area.
The matter first came to light last month when a complaint was registered at the Cyber Police Station (north-west district) by a 23-year-old man, son of an assistant sub-inspector with the Delhi Police and a resident of Kingsway Camp in New Police Lines area.
The complainant alleged that he had received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number advertising for gigolo (male escorts) and masseuse jobs, along with a contact number.
According to Usha Rangnani, deputy commissioner of police (north-west), the complainant claimed that after he contacted the number, he was asked for Rs 47,200 by the accused, which included Rs 3,500 as a ‘registration’ fee, Rs15,000-15,300 for a message kit, Rs 9,400 for an ‘entry card’ and hotel booking expenses. The complainant was also promised that on his first meeting, he will be acquainted with wealthy women clients and the money will be refunded.
But the accused disappeared soon after the payment was made, the complainant said.
What the investigation found
A case was registered under section 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code and an investigation was initiated soon after the complaint was lodged. The police obtained beneficiary details of accounts where the money was being transferred and that finally led to the arrests of the four accused.
The police had also recovered seven mobile phones, one laptop and several ATM cards.
During investigation, the police found that the accused were running the scam for the last two years from their office in Hari Nagar that they had rented for Rs 17,000.
Shubham, according to police, was the mastermind, who paid ‘manager’ Udit a monthly salary of Rs 20,000, and Rs 15,000 to each woman, said DCP Rangnani.
The police also said the accused used several social media and porn sites to lure people. As soon as the victims logged on to these sites, the accused would start chatting with them and offer promises of huge salaries and other incentives.
The police also believe the accused were earning around Rs 2 to Rs 3 lakh every month by duping people.
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