Nagpur gang allegedly used dating app to kidnap delivery executive, rob him; 5 arrested

Five men have been arrested in Nagpur for allegedly using a gay dating app to lure young men before Kidnapping, assaulting and robbing them, police said on Friday. The accused allegedly befriended victims online, gained their trust over several days and then used meetings arranged through the app to carry out the crimes.

The arrested accused have been identified as Mohammad Sheikh Zakir Mohammad Sheikh Fakruddin, Kunal Mandre, Sultan Ali Sayyad, Farhan Faizan Khan and Shizan Sheikh Fakruddin Ali Ahmed. Police are now investigating whether the group was involved in similar incidents in the city.

According to investigators, the latest victim, a delivery executive, came in contact with one of the accused through the dating app. After chatting for a few days, the suspect allegedly convinced him to meet late at night.

The incident took place around midnight on June 22, when the victim was returning home on his Activa scooter after completing his deliveries. Near Mankapur Chowk, one of the accused allegedly requested a lift. Unaware of what was about to happen, the delivery executive agreed to help.

Police said the passenger soon contacted his accomplices, WHO intercepted the scooter after it had travelled a short distance. The group allegedly abducted the victim, snatched his mobile phone, ATM card and scooter keys, and took him to different locations while threatening him.

Investigators said the accused then contacted the victim’s friends and acquaintances using false pretexts and persuaded them to transfer money into his bank account. Around Rs 90,000 was deposited, after which the gang allegedly withdrew the entire amount using the victim’s ATM card.

Following the complaint, Nagpur police formed three Investigation teams to trace the suspects. Officers examined CCTV footage from the crime scene and nearby areas, analysed technical evidence and used intelligence inputs to identify the accused. All five were subsequently arrested.

The accused are currently in police custody, and further investigations are underway. Officials are trying to determine whether the gang carried out similar crimes by targeting people through dating apps and have not ruled out the possibility of additional victims coming forward.