NEW DELHI: The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has arrested a Syrian national, Ali Meghat Alzahar, for allegedly posing as a Gaza victim and extorting money from mosques, police said on Saturday. He had entered India on a tourist visa.
According to police, interrogation revealed that the extorted money was being used by the gang to fund a lavish lifestyle.
Following the crackdown, three aides of the accused have gone missing.
Officials said such activities pose a serious threat to India’s internal security, as the accused were not only violating visa norms but also engaging in suspicious activities.
Investigations are underway to determine how the collected funds were being utilized.
Both state and central agencies are involved in the probe.
Meanwhile, police confirmed that the detained Syrian has been blacklisted, and deportation proceedings are in progress.
(With inputs from agencies)
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