Gurugram Extortion Case: Two, Including Minor, Arrested for Threatening Liquor Contractor Using Virtual Foreign Number

The Gurugram Crime Branch (Farrukhnagar) has arrested two individuals, including a 15-year-old minor, for attempting to extort money from a local liquor contractor. The accused used a virtual international phone number to pose as associates of a foreign-based gangster.

The arrested individuals have been identified as 25-year-old Sumit, a resident of Sikandarpur Badha village, and his 15-year-old minor accomplice. Sumit, who has studied up to the 10th standard, works as a clerk (munshi) for a lawyer in the Gurugram court. The minor is currently an 8th-grade student.

The Extortion Call

According to the police complaint filed by the liquor contractor, the incident occurred on October 25 at approximately 12:41 PM. The contractor received a call from an unknown foreign number. The caller claimed to be calling from the United States and introduced himself as a henchman of a gangster based abroad.

The caller demanded lakhs of rupees as extortion and threatened the contractor with severe consequences and physical harm if the demands were not met. Keeping the victim's safety in mind, the police have withheld the exact extortion amount and the contractor's identity.

Modus Operandi and Arrest

Following the complaint, a case was registered at the Farrukhnagar police station. The police technical and cyber teams immediately began gathering digital evidence. Based on actionable intelligence and cyber tracking, the police successfully apprehended both suspects on October 29.

During the initial interrogation, the accused revealed their modus operandi. Sumit used the internet to generate a virtual foreign number. He then plotted with his minor associate to use this untraceable-looking number to extort the wine shop owner. As per their plan, the 15-year-old minor executed the actual phone call to the contractor. If the contractor had agreed to pay the ransom, Sumit was designated to collect the extortion money.

Police Warning on Virtual Numbers

ACP Crime Indivar stated that the police are currently working to recover the mobile phones used in the crime. He issued a stern warning to criminals who believe they can hide behind internet-generated numbers.

"Criminals should not harbor the misconception that they can conceal their identity or evade the police by using virtual foreign mobile numbers obtained via the internet," ACP Indivar said. "Virtual numbers are not non-traceable. With the help of modern technology, advanced cyber investigations, and digital evidence, the police can easily track the individuals linked to these numbers and their activities."