The dating app scam that rocked the city had resurfaced again — but this time, swift police action followed mid-day’s recent exposé. Acting on the detailed report published in May, the Malad and MHB Colony police registered fresh FIRs. The latter then launched a coordinated crackdown in their case, raiding hotels in Thane and Navi Mumbai and arresting 22.
Modus operandi exposed
The nuts and bolts of the racket were brought to light when mid-day carried out an in-depth sting operation in August last year, revealing how women on dating apps lured men to upscale clubs and lounges. Once inside, the victims were coerced into paying exorbitant fake bills under pressure from planted staff and fake bouncers, who would issue threats and use intimidation tactics. Following the initial exposé, police had dismantled the racket. But the scam silently resurfaced across Malad and adjoining suburbs, once again targeting unsuspecting men using dating platforms.
The crackdown
Last week, the Malad police registered a fresh case based on a complaint by a Borivli-based photographer. In a parallel breakthrough, the MHB Colony police, under the guidance of DCP Anand Bhoite (Zone 11), Senior Inspector GB Pawar, and PI Atul Avhad, arrested 22, including the manager of Timess Square lounge in Borivli West, Shailesh Vaster alias Shailesh Anna, 40, and the alleged masterminds, Mohsin Salim, 32; and Farhan Mukhtiar Khan, 20.
The rest of the accused are Jishant Harish alias Himmat Negi, 18; Tarun Gangaram Sharma, 25; Brijmohan Manojkumar, 24; Danish Nasruddin Malik, 24; Armaan Amil Khan, 20; Haider Saadeen Saifi, 29; Shahid Arif Khan, 18; Swapna Karan Saini, 22; Mohammad Sahanur Shakeel Ahmed, 18; Mohammed Sikandar Salim Ahmed, 34; Anas Sabir, 21; Akash Dharmapal Gautam, 24; Chirag Santosh Pathak, 22; Komal Rani Ramdas, 28; Zeba Harun Saifi, 18; Himani Rani Ravish Gautam, 23; Simran Arunkumar Rajput, 25; Kajol Yashpal, 24; and Manisha Jugal Kishore, 20.
Inquiries revealed that Mohsin and Farhan brought 19 operatives — 13 men and six women — from Delhi, Ghaziabad, and UP. The accused created fake profiles on popular dating apps to lure male victims. The police have launched a manhunt for two other alleged masterminds: Mohammad Talib and Akram Khan, both of whom remain at large. Investigators suspect a wider extortion nexus operating via multiple dating apps.
MHB Colony case
The victim, Gauresh Shrikrishna Parab, 27, after coming in contact with a woman on Tinder, was lured to Timess Square on April 12. After spending two hours with the woman and consuming drinks, he was handed a fake bill of Rs 35,000 and forced to pay Rs 14,700 via QR codes linked to Akram Khan and Mohammad Talib.
An FIR was registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 318(4), 319(2), 336(2), and 3(5). Based on technical and human surveillance, police traced the suspects to Hotel Grand Inn, Dighe, Navi Mumbai. After 12 hours of covert surveillance, the MHB Colony police detained 15 men and six women staying across five rooms at the hotel. All were arrested with the support of the local police.
Items collectively worth an estimated Rs 3.74 lakh, including 27 mobile phones, a portable printer, and a PhonePe swipe machine, were seized. During interrogation, it was revealed that Mohsin and Farhan were coordinating the scam. Half of the extorted amount was allegedly shared with hotel managers, including Vaster, who is now in police custody until July 8.
Malad case
Rohan Ashok Sanghvi, 30, was duped of Rs 31,900 after meeting one Preeti via the dating app Feeld in May. Preeti invited him to the Throne Lounge in Malad West, where she ordered expensive liquor and hookah. Sanghvi was later handed a bill of Rs 35,000 with no tax details or GST breakdown. When he protested, four men surrounded him, and he was forced to pay Rs 10,000 via card, and Rs 21,000 and Rs 900 via Google Pay. Preeti vanished soon after. Sanghvi later discovered that four other people had filed similar complaints against the same establishment. The Malad police registered an FIR on July 5 and booked Preeti, the lounge owner, and its staff. The case is currently under investigation. Many of the accused arrested in the other case are now suspected to be involved in this one.
