Shahdara Cyber Police Arrest Two in ₹35,000 Extortion Case Linked to Fake Dating App
Delhi’s Shahdara Cyber Police have cracked a ₹35,000 extortion case, arresting two cybercriminals involved in a scam using a fake profile on the ‘QuakQuak’ dating app. The operation led to the recovery of four mobile phones and three SIM cards, shedding light on a sophisticated extortion racket.
Incident Details
On June 12, 2025, a case was registered (FIR No. 48/25) at Cyber Shahdara Police Station based on a complaint by Ankit Kumar Kain, a resident of Loni Road, Bhagwanpur Khera, Shahdara. Kain reported that he connected with a woman named ‘Nandini’ on the QuakQuak dating app. After exchanging numbers and chatting on WhatsApp, Nandini initiated a video call in a nude state while Kain’s face was visible. She recorded the call and demanded ₹35,000 to delete the video, threatening to share it on social media. Frightened, Kain transferred the amount to a Bandhan Bank account provided by the suspect. When further demands were made, he reported the incident via the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP).
Investigation
A dedicated team, led by SHO Vijay Kumar and supervised by ACP Gurdev Singh, was formed to investigate. The team included SI Shweta Sharma, ASI Rajdeep, HC Javed, HC Vikas, and Const. Ranjeet. Investigation revealed that the extorted ₹35,000 was transferred to a Bandhan Bank account opened in the name of Mangal Singh, a 31-year-old resident of Jhangola, Delhi. The account was created online by Shyam Singh, a 21-year-old from Baldeobas, Rajasthan, under instructions from an individual named Aamir.
The bank account was linked to a mobile number (96509****) and an email ID created on March 22, 2025, both registered to Mangal Singh but operated by Shyam Singh. Transaction OTPs were initially received on the registered mobile number and later on the email ID. Four mobile handsets containing the numbers 9650**** and 82398**** were recovered from Shyam Singh. On June 13, 2025, Mangal Singh was arrested, revealing that he was paid ₹10,000 (₹6,000 online by Harjeet Singh alias Sonu and ₹4,000 cash by Shyam Singh) for providing his bank account details, ATM card, cheque book, and SIM card.
Modus Operandi
During interrogation, Shyam Singh admitted to encouraging individuals to open bank accounts for a fee, which he then used for fraudulent activities. He specifically opened Bandhan Bank accounts online and handed them over to Aamir, who orchestrated the extortion scheme. The fake dating app profile was used to lure victims into compromising situations, followed by threats to extort money.
Recovered Evidence:
- 4 mobile phones
- 3 SIM cards
Profile of Accused
| Name | Address | Age | Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shyam Singh | Vill- Baldeobas, PS Sikri, Distt Deeg, Rajasthan | 21 years | 10th Passed |
| Mangal Singh | Vill- Jhangola, Alipur, Delhi | 31 years | 8th Passed |
Conclusion
The Shahdara Cyber Police’s swift action has exposed a dangerous cyber extortion scheme exploiting dating apps. The arrests of Shyam Singh and Mangal Singh mark a significant step in curbing such crimes, but the investigation continues to uncover the full extent of the racket, including the role of Aamir and Harjeet Singh. Authorities urge the public to exercise caution on dating platforms and report suspicious activities via the NCRP portal or the cybercrime helpline (1930).
Prashant Gautam, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police-II, Shahdara District, emphasized the importance of public awareness in combating cybercrime. The case underscores the need for vigilance in the digital age.
