New Delhi: A 32-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly attempting to extort Rs 40 lakh from a Paharganj-based businessman using fake international WhatsApp numbers. Police said the accused reportedly carried out the crime to settle his debts and meet expenses for his upcoming wedding. The case came to light on Oct 26, when a resident of DDA Flats in Motia Khan approached the Paharganj police, reporting that he and his wife had been receiving repeated extortion calls and messages. The complainant told police that on Oct 10, his wife first received a WhatsApp call from an international number, followed by threatening messages directed at him. Soon after, he began receiving similar calls and messages from multiple fake numbers demanding money in exchange for his family’s safety, said DCP (Central) Nidhin Valsan. A case was registered under sections related to extortion and criminal intimidation. Technical surveillance led police to an IP address linked to the calls, which was traced to Chhattarpur. A raid was conducted, and the accused, identified as Ramzan Ali Hashmi, was arrested. Police said Hashmi, a resident of Chhattarpur, had earlier worked at the complainant’s factory in Naraina and used his knowledge of the businessman’s personal and professional life to lend credibility to his threats. During interrogation, Hashmi confessed to making the extortion calls, claiming he resorted to the act due to financial distress and expenses related to his upcoming marriage. Two mobile phones and a laptop used in the crime were seized, police added.
