160 extortion calls in 300 days: Delhi businessmen threatened every other day

Businesspeople in Delhi have received approximately 160 extortion calls as of October this year, averaging one every other day, creating significant distress within the community.

Most of these calls originate from foreign-based criminals or their associates, who use Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) or international phone numbers, according to police sources on Tuesday.

The calls primarily target builders, property dealers, jewellers, and owners of sweet shops and car showrooms across the city, the sources added.

Since the start of the year, around 160 extortion calls have been reported to businessmen in Delhi, spanning approximately 300 days. In some instances, these calls were followed by gunfire outside the targeted individual’s residence or office, a source disclosed.

In the past week alone, seven extortion incidents were reported in just four days, with targets including a jeweller, a gym owner, a property dealer, a sweet shop owner, and a motor workshop owner.

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One such incident, which occurred in Rohini on November 5, saw three men enter a showroom and fire shots into the air. They left behind an extortion note listing the names of gangsters and an amount. The note read: “Yogesh Dahia, Fajje Bhai, Monti Mann and Rs 10 crore.”

In another case on November 7, an international number called a gym owner in Nangloi, demanding Rs 7 crore. The caller claimed to be associated with Deepak Boxer, a jailed gangster linked to Lawrence Bishnoi.

In all seven cases, FIRs have been filed, and separate teams from the Special Cell and Crime Branch are investigating the incidents, according to a police officer.

According to Delhi Police statistics, a total of 133 extortion cases were reported across the city by August 15 of this year. This compares to 141 cases during the same period last year and 110 cases in 2022.

In 2023, a total of 204 extortion cases were reported, while 187 were recorded in 2022.

A police officer handling such cases explained that the extortionists typically use VOIP or WhatsApp numbers obtained through fake SIM cards.

Sources confirmed that police have identified 11 criminal gangs involved in extortion calls, shootings, and murders across the National Capital Region in recent months. These gangs include Lawrence Bishnoi-Goldy Brar, Himanshu Bhau, Kapil Sangwan (alias Nandu), Jitender Gogi-Sampat Nehra, Hashim Baba, Sunil Tillu, Kaushal Chaudhary, Neeraj Faridpuria, and Neeraj Bawana.

Except for Gogi and Tillu, who died in gang conflicts, most of these gangsters are either incarcerated or based abroad, according to police.

(With inputs from PTI)