Two brothers and a Nigerian were arrested who Delhi Police accused of being part of a gang which had sent messages to around 20,000 businessmen, mainly jewellers, across the country threatening to kill them and demanded 'protection' money from them.
According to the police, Vikas (24) and Parkash (26), both brothers and residents of Nangli Extension and Idehen Solomon Osazee, a Nigerian national, residing in India illegally, were arrested recently. A number of electronic gadgets used for issuing the threats have been recovered.
"Information was received that a large number of people had received threats on their mobile phones through SMS in which they were told that somebody has paid Rs 10 lakh as 'Supari' for his murder and if he is ready to pay Rs 11 lakh within 48 hours, he can be spared.
"These messages created panic among the receivers including some jewellers of Delhi," said Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Yadav.
The target was further directed to SMS "YES" if he is ready to pay the money or be ready to face the consequences. When the message of accepting his demand was sent, he was given an account number of a bank with the direction to deposit the money and scan the copy of the deposit receipt and mail the scanned copy on a given email, he said.
It was found that a large number of complaints have been filed in different police stations and these threats have caused panic in the business community all over India. The Crime Branch of Delhi Police registered a case under various sections of the IPC and 66 IT Act and took up investigation and managed to nab the trio.
During interrogation, police learnt that Vikas is the mastermind of this racket. In the year 2012, he was arrested in South-West Distt for cheating and had remained in jail for about 8 months in this case. In jail, he came in contact with some Nigerians from whom he learned modern methods to cheat people.
