Investigation into the online escort services racket has revealed that the accused persons duped more than 800 people across the country in the past three years. Also, the accused minted more than Rs60lakh by inducing people to deposit money in bank accounts for escort girls. This figure is expected to go up, police sources said.
Investigation into the online escort services racket has revealed that the accused persons duped more than 800 people across the country in the past three years. Also, the accused minted more than Rs60lakh by inducing people to deposit money in bank accounts for escort girls. This figure is expected to go up, police sources said.
Following a tip-off from an unknown caller about the bogus service, Cyber Crime Investigation Cell (CCIC) last Thursday arrested suspects Vinod Singh, 32, who works in a security agency and resides in Bhandup; Aniket Pitroda, 24, garage mechanic and resident of Wagle Estate in Thane; and Sunil Gupta, 35, also a Bhandup resident.
After running a Google check on a few mobile numbers associated with the alleged racket's operations, the police learnt the numbers were registered on different websites. Apart from the numbers, the police also came across content which stated that if one dialled these numbers, women would be supplied as per demand.
The content further claimed that women from Gujarat, Kerala, Saudi Arabia and Russia would also be provided. The websites also contained nude photographs of men and women. A case was registered in this regard.
"The trio admitted that they had uploaded their numbers on the Internet, attended calls from customers, and induced them to deposit cash in various bank accounts. Their interrogation has now led to the arrest of a fourth accomplice, identified as Sunil Agawne, 32, a rickshaw driver by profession and resident of Bhandup," said a crime branch officer.
Agawne had allegedly provided his bank account to the other accused. "He'd withdraw the money deposited by the victims and give it to the others after deducting his commission. Analysis of call details, SMSes and bank account details of Agawne revealed that the accused persons have duped over 800 people to the tune of more than Rs60 lakh in the past three years," said the officer.
The police are recording statements of witnesses to bolster their case against the suspects. In some cases, victims from outside Mumbai were told that the "escort service" has offshoots across the country from where women could be supplied as per the client's requirements, another bait for the gullible to deposit money.
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