Virtual trap, fake cops, real sextortion: 20 held in MP's Shivpuri cyber seduction racket

BHOPAL: Shivpuri district in Madhya Pradesh is emerging as a cyber crime hotspot after police busted a sophisticated sextortion racket, arresting 20 people involved in blackmailing victims through explicit video chats. The gang lured victims into online interactions and then posed as police officers to demand money under threat of fabricated criminal charges.The crackdown was part of the statewide "Operation Matrix", led by SP Aman Singh Rathore with coordinated efforts from SDOP Ayush Jakhar. Investigators described the operation as targeting a well-organised local module that used fake WhatsApp accounts in women's names to trap victims. Conversations were recorded, and victims were threatened with charges such as rape or child pornography unless they paid money to "settle" the matter.Police said the gang used multiple mobile apps -- including HIIU, Tokki, MIKA, ELOELO, GAGA, HANI, SUGO, COMMECTO, HITSU, HONEY and COMET -- to initiate contact and move conversations to video calls. Another member would then call the victim, impersonating a police officer, and demand immediate payment to avoid arrest. Several victims transferred money through mule bank accounts.In just one week, four FIRs were registered in Karera and Bhonti police station areas, naming 32 accused. Of these, 20 have been arrested so far. On February 20, Karera police raided a site where suspects were allegedly posing as police officers, detaining 10 people while seven escaped. Bhonti police carried out a similar raid the same day, detaining another 10 suspects. Two additional cases involving credit card fraud and fake loans were registered on February 19 at Karera police station.Police recovered 29 mobile phones, seven cars, a motorcycle, 16 ATM cards, seven bank passbooks, a property registry document, and Rs 1.2 lakh in cash, with total assets estimated at Rs 1.07 crore. Investigators said the vehicles and multiple SIM cards were used to run the racket across locations, suggesting coordinated operations rather than isolated individuals.Officials noted that some local youth, drawn by quick financial gains and the visible lifestyle of peers -- SUVs, high-end smartphones, branded clothing -- were attracted to cyber crime. "Some youngsters were influenced by the visible lifestyle changes around them. Cyber fraud seemed like an easy shortcut," a senior officer said.Police have warned that more arrests are likely as digital evidence, bank transactions, mule account holders, and SIM suppliers are being traced. Authorities have urged citizens not to engage in explicit online chats with strangers and to report any blackmail attempts immediately via the cyber helpline 1930.The investigation into the Shivpuri sextortion network is ongoing.