Plastic thumb, real terror: How friend targeted Delhi businessman in Rs 5 crore extortion plot

NEW DELHI: Two individuals were arrested, and a minor was apprehended, for attempting to extort Rs 5 crore from a businessman in Shahdara.

According to police, the primary suspect sent an extortion letter along with a gruesome parcel containing a plastic thumb, which was made to look real with the help of animal flesh and blood. The letter demanded Rs 5 crore, claiming the money was needed to aid a war-torn country, and threatened that the businessman would be killed if he failed to comply, police said.

The accused were identified as Abhishek Kumar, Sachin Jain, and a juvenile. Police said Kumar, facing severe financial distress, was a close friend of the businessman, Vikas Jain, whom he had known for over 30 years. In a desperate attempt to resolve his financial woes, Kumar enlisted the help of his relative, Sachin, and his niece—a minor—to carry out the extortion plot.

The businessman reported the incident to the police after receiving the bizarre parcel, which included the threatening letter, a plastic thumb, and a smartwatch. Police registered a case.

DCP (Shahdara) Prashant Gautam explained that the investigation team reviewed over 600 CCTV cameras from various locations to trace the person who delivered the parcel. After analysing the footage, they identified the woman who handed the parcel to Vikas. She was apprehended, and further investigation led to the capture of Kumar near the Jagatpuri police station.

Kumar confessed that he had planned the extortion attempt against his longtime friend. He said he hired several individuals for the task. He also enlisted the help of his niece and relative, Sachin, to execute the plot. Kumar explained that he purchased the artificial thumb for Rs 3,500 and a smartwatch worth Rs 500 from a shop in Dilshad Garden.

On April 16, Kumar, along with his niece, approached Vikas's house and pointed out the target to the hired accomplices. He then went to Karkari Mor while his niece delivered the parcel to Vikas, leaving him terrified by the death threat. Following Kumar's arrest, Sachin was also taken into custody.