New Delhi, May 6 (AHN) In a major breakthrough, the Delhi Police’s North-West district cyber unit has arrested the alleged kingpin of a sextortion racket operating out of the Mewat region, officials said on Wednesday.

The accused, identified as Abas Khan, 25, a resident of Tehsil Ramgarh in Rajasthan’s Alwar district, was apprehended following a detailed investigation into a cyber fraud case involving extortion of Rs 2.52 lakh from a Delhi-based complainant.

According to police, the case originated from an online complaint filed by a Shalimar Bagh resident, who reported being duped through a sextortion scheme. The victim received a friend request on Facebook from a woman, who later obtained his mobile number. Subsequently, he received a WhatsApp video call during which obscene content was played. Soon after disconnecting, he began receiving threats that his ''video" had been recorded and would be made viral unless he paid money. Under pressure, the victim transferred Rs 2.52 lakh in multiple transactions.

An e-FIR was registered on January 12, under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and a dedicated team was formed under the supervision of senior officers to crack the case.

During investigation, police analysed digital footprints, including WhatsApp account data, Facebook profiles, Internet Protocol Detail Records (IPDRs), Call Detail Records (CDRs), and bank transactions. The trail revealed that multiple accounts were operated using mule identities. Technical surveillance and ground intelligence eventually linked the operations to the Mewat region.

Given the sensitivity of the area and past instances of resistance against police action, a carefully planned raid was conducted in coordination with local police. Acting swiftly in the early hours, the team arrested the accused and recovered an iPhone 14 Pro allegedly used in the crime.

During interrogation, Khan confessed to creating fake social media profiles using images of women and sending bulk friend requests to target men. Once a victim engaged, he would initiate a video call and play pre-recorded obscene clips while recording the victim’s response. These recordings were then used to blackmail victims into paying money.

Police said the accused was a key operator in a sextortion case, and further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend other members of the network.

Officials also noted that several youths from the accused’s village are suspected to be involved in similar cyber fraud activities, indicating a larger organised racket.