In an unfolding investigation of a dating app scam in New Ashok Nagar, East Delhi, several cafes and restaurants have come under scrutiny. The case came to light on June 23, when a young man, who had arranged to meet a woman he met on a dating app in Laxmi Nagar, was defrauded. The staff and owners of Black Mirror Cafe extorted Rs 1.2 lakh from him using a fake bill. Following the victims complaint, authorities discovered that the woman was orchestrating the scam in collusion with the cafe staff. Police subsequently arrested Akshay Pahwa, the owner of Black Mirror Cafe, and Afsan Parveen, also known as Ayesha and Noor, from Vishwas Nagar.Expanding Network of ScamsDuring interrogation, the accused woman revealed that she had lured victims to several other cafes and restaurants for similar scams. These establishments include Hyper, Grill House, X Dream, Four Quarter, Big Daddy, and Ascon King Cafe and Restaurant, all situated in Karkardooma and Cross River Mall.The victim reported being extorted Rs 1.2 lakh for a few snacks, four shots of fruit wine, and two cakes. After placing the order, the woman left, citing a family emergency. This prompted the victim to file a complaint with the police. Authorities are now searching for Akshays associates, including Ansh Grover (a friend), Vansh Pahwa (a cousin), manager Digranshu, and table manager Aryan. The extorted money was divided, with approximately 40% going to the cafe owner, 45% to the manager and table manager, and 15% to the accused woman.Rising Cyber Fraud in CapitalThe case underscores a broader trend of increasing cyber fraud in the capital. Scammers use various tactics to identify and exploit victims, executing their schemes with alarming precision. Large-scale scams involving dating apps are currently on the rise, emphasising the need for public vigilance.Police regularly conduct cyber security awareness campaigns, stressing the importance of increased caution to prevent individuals from falling victim to such scams.Operating procedureThe scam involved the woman and her associates creating multiple fake profiles on dating apps. They would engage young men in conversation and lure them into their trap. To build trust, they would send photos of Afsan, a gang member. Victims were invited to gang-associated cafes or hotels under the guise of a birthday or other occasion. After placing large orders, the woman would leave, citing an excuse. The gang would then produce fake bills and extort significant sums of money from the victims.As cyber fraud cases continue to emerge, this investigation highlights the elaborate methods employed by scammers and the critical need for heightened public awareness and vigilance.
