15 June,2026 08:25 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan
A trap was laid to catch the suspect while accepting the extortion money. Pic/Mumbai Police
The Mumbai Crime Branch has uncovered an alleged extortion racket that used social media platforms to threaten and blackmail business owners.
The case came to light after a businessman from Mulund approached authorities, claiming that a group of individuals posed as representatives of an online news channel and government officials to extort money from him.
According to police, the accused allegedly threatened to damage the reputation of the businessman and shut down his business by circulating a false video on social media.
Investigators said the suspects allegedly created a misleading video claiming that dairy products sold at the complainant's shop were of poor quality and unsafe for consumers.
The businessman was allegedly warned that the video would be widely circulated online, harming his reputation and business unless he paid a large sum of money.
Police said part of the extortion amount was allegedly collected online, while the remaining payment was demanded in cash.
Following the complaint, a joint team from the Crime Intelligence Unit and Crime Branch Unit 5 launched an operation in the Sonapur Signal area of Mulund.
A trap was laid to catch the suspect while accepting the extortion money.
On June 14, officers apprehended one accused allegedly while he was receiving the demanded cash from the complainant.
A case has been registered at Mulund Police Station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to extortion, criminal intimidation, conspiracy and destruction of evidence.
The investigation has since been transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch for further inquiry.
The arrested accused, a 40-year-old resident of Mulund, was produced before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court at Fort, Mumbai, on June 15.
The court remanded him to police custody until June 18.
Police are now investigating whether other individuals were involved in the alleged extortion network and whether similar methods were used to target other business owners.
Officials said efforts are underway to identify additional suspects and gather digital evidence linked to the social media operation.
The action was carried out under the supervision of senior Mumbai Police officials, including Police Commissioner Deven Bharti and senior officers of the Crime Branch.
