In a major crackdown on an organised cyber-extortion racket, Gujarat Police have arrested seven individuals accused of targeting men through a gay dating application, luring them into honeytraps and extorting money by threatening them with public exposure.The arrests were made in Surendranagar district after police received complaints from victims who alleged that they had been duped, intimidated and forced to pay large sums of money after being trapped through fake profiles on a dating platform.According to investigators, the accused created fake accounts on a popular gay dating app and initiated conversations with unsuspecting users. Once contact was established, victims were persuaded to meet at secluded locations. Upon arrival, they were allegedly surrounded by gang members who posed as police officers, relatives or local vigilantes.Police said the gang would then threaten victims with criminal cases, physical assault or exposure of their sexual orientation to family members and society. Taking advantage of the social stigma associated with homosexuality in many parts of the country, the accused allegedly forced victims to hand over cash, transfer money online or surrender valuables.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wion-health-pulse-social-media-more-addictive-than-alcohol-smoking-gaming-says-expert-1781699217836">Wion Health Pulse | Social media more addictive than alcohol, smoking, gaming, says expert</a>Preliminary investigations suggest the operation had been running for several months and may have targeted multiple victims across Gujarat. Authorities are now examining bank transactions, mobile phone records and digital evidence recovered from the accused to determine the full scale of the racket.Police believe more victims may be involved but have not come forward due to fear, embarrassment or social pressure. Officials have urged anyone who may have been targeted by the gang to approach law enforcement and assured confidentiality during the investigation.The case has once again highlighted the growing misuse of dating applications by organised criminal networks. Similar honeytrap and extortion rackets targeting users of dating platforms have been reported in several states in recent years, prompting repeated warnings from law enforcement agencies about meeting online acquaintances in isolated locations.The seven accused are currently in police custody, and further investigations are underway to identify additional members of the network, possible interstate links and the total amount extorted from victims.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/health-and-wellness/wion-health-pulse-top-indian-doctors-outline-the-future-of-ai-and-digital-health-integration-1781692645914">WION Health Pulse: Top Indian doctors outline the future of AI and digital health integration</a><h2>Why this case matters</h2>The incident underscores how cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting dating apps to target vulnerable individuals. Police say users should verify identities, avoid meeting strangers in secluded places, inform friends or family about planned meetings and immediately report any suspicious activity or threats.

Police believe more victims may be involved but have not come forward due to fear, embarrassment or social pressure. Officials have urged anyone who may have been targeted by the gang to approach law enforcement and assured confidentiality during the investigation.

In a major crackdown on an organised cyber-extortion racket, Gujarat Police have arrested seven individuals accused of targeting men through a gay dating application, luring them into honeytraps and extorting money by threatening them with public exposure. The arrests were made in Surendranagar district after police received complaints from victims who alleged that they had been duped, intimidated and forced to pay large sums of money after being trapped through fake profiles on a dating platform. According to investigators, the accused created fake accounts on a popular gay dating app and initiated conversations with unsuspecting users. Once contact was established, victims were persuaded to meet at secluded locations. Upon arrival, they were allegedly surrounded by gang members who posed as police officers, relatives or local vigilantes. Police said the gang would then threaten victims with criminal cases, physical assault or exposure of their sexual orientation to family members and society. Taking advantage of the social stigma associated with homosexuality in many parts of the country, the accused allegedly forced victims to hand over cash, transfer money online or surrender valuables. Also read | Wion Health Pulse | Social media more addictive than alcohol, smoking, gaming, says expert Preliminary investigations suggest the operation had been running for several months and may have targeted multiple victims across Gujarat. Authorities are now examining bank transactions, mobile phone records and digital evidence recovered from the accused to determine the full scale of the racket. Police believe more victims may be involved but have not come forward due to fear, embarrassment or social pressure. Officials have urged anyone who may have been targeted by the gang to approach law enforcement and assured confidentiality during the investigation. The case has once again highlighted the growing misuse of dating applications by organised criminal networks. Similar honeytrap and extortion rackets targeting users of dating platforms have been reported in several states in recent years, prompting repeated warnings from law enforcement agencies about meeting online acquaintances in isolated locations. The seven accused are currently in police custody, and further investigations are underway to identify additional members of the network, possible interstate links and the total amount extorted from victims. Also read | WION Health Pulse: Top Indian doctors outline the future of AI and digital health integration Why this case matters The incident underscores how cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting dating apps to target vulnerable individuals. Police say users should verify identities, avoid meeting strangers in secluded places, inform friends or family about planned meetings and immediately report any suspicious activity or threats.

Police believe more victims may be involved but have not come forward due to fear, embarrassment or social pressure. Officials have urged anyone who may have been targeted by the gang to approach law enforcement and assured confidentiality during the investigation.

Gay dating app honeytrap racket busted in Gujarat, seven arrested for extortion

Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh has reportedly received a ₹10 crore extortion threat, with the message allegedly sent using an international number. Authorities are examining the source and authenticity of the threat as part of an ongoing probe. The incident has triggered fresh attention on celebrity security and cyber-enabled intimidation cases.

Bollywood: Ranveer Singh Faces ₹10 Crore Extortion Threat 

In a bizarre incident a 50-year-old jobless man, Sanjay from Sonipat, Haryana, posed as Delhi's notorious gangster Naveen Bali to extort 1 crore from a North‑West Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar-based businessman. The police have managed to capture the con man, and he has admitted to his crime. His first phone call came on July 3, from an unknown number claiming to be Naveen Bali. The businessman avoided the call, considering it to be a prank, but he called again on July 20, with specific threats and warning of dire consequences within 4 days, if he did not comply with Sanjay's demands. The fear set in, and the victim reported to police on July 24.&nbsp;The police traced the caller through his distinct Haryanvi accent and technical surveillance. On investigation, a handwritten note with the victim's number was retrieved from Sanjay's possession. He later confessed that he used to work in private jobs but felt dissatisfied with his income. He was influenced by extensive media coverage of the recent extortion cases and decided to try his luck. He then collaborated with Rahul Rathi, a business associate of the victim to carry out the scheme.This recent development is a part of the trend of fake gangster impersonators targeting businessmen. Fraudstars consistently link themselves with high-profile gangsters like Naveen Bali, Goldy Brar, and Lawrence Bishno to extort money. These cases had been reported in Punjab, Delhi, Bengaluru and West Bengal. They exploit the fear and media visibility. Common tactics include using virtual numbers, encrypted apps, voice masking, and misleading social media personas, many of whom do not have any criminal ties and act based on media-inspired ideas and out of financial desperation.

In a bizarre development, a Sonipat-based 50-year-old man impersonated a notorious gangster, Naveen Bali to extort 1 crore from a North‑West Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar-based businessman. This is the latest case in the disturbing trend of extorting money by impersonating gangsters.

In a bizarre incident a 50-year-old jobless man, Sanjay from Sonipat, Haryana, posed as Delhi's notorious gangster Naveen Bali to extort 1 crore from a North‑West Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar-based businessman. The police have managed to capture the con man, and he has admitted to his crime. His first phone call came on July 3, from an unknown number claiming to be Naveen Bali. The businessman avoided the call, considering it to be a prank, but he called again on July 20, with specific threats and warning of dire consequences within 4 days, if he did not comply with Sanjay's demands. The fear set in, and the victim reported to police on July 24. The police traced the caller through his distinct Haryanvi accent and technical surveillance. On investigation, a handwritten note with the victim's number was retrieved from Sanjay's possession. He later confessed that he used to work in private jobs but felt dissatisfied with his income. He was influenced by extensive media coverage of the recent extortion cases and decided to try his luck. He then collaborated with Rahul Rathi, a business associate of the victim to carry out the scheme. This recent development is a part of the trend of fake gangster impersonators targeting businessmen. Fraudstars consistently link themselves with high-profile gangsters like Naveen Bali, Goldy Brar, and Lawrence Bishno to extort money. These cases had been reported in Punjab, Delhi, Bengaluru and West Bengal. They exploit the fear and media visibility. Common tactics include using virtual numbers, encrypted apps, voice masking, and misleading social media personas, many of whom do not have any criminal ties and act based on media-inspired ideas and out of financial desperation.

In a bizarre development, a Sonipat-based 50-year-old man impersonated a notorious gangster, Naveen Bali to extort 1 crore from a North‑West Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar-based businessman. This is the latest case in the disturbing trend of extorting money by impersonating gangsters.

Delhi man poses as gangster, tries to extort 1 Crore - His shocking real identity revealed!

A 23-year-old Delhi man was arrested Friday (Jan 3) from Shakarpur area after allegedly defrauding more than 700 women on dating apps like Bumble and Snapchat.
Tushar Singh Bisht, who works as a recruiter at a private company in Uttar Pradesh's Noida, used to pose as a US-based model on dating websites by creating fake profiles.
Bisht used a virtual international mobile number for registration on the apps and generated fake profile using photos of an actual Brazilian model. Then, he would befriend women aged between 18 and 30 saying he is a model who frequently visits India.
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After gaining their trust, the Delhi resident would then ask for the victims&rsquo; phone numbers and private photos under the guise of friendship. According to a police statement, what Bisht started as a source of entertainment initially later turned into a systematic scheme of extortion.
Tushar Singh would then use these pictures to blackmail those women and ask for money. He would also threaten to upload those pictures and visuals on social media or dark web if his demands were not met.
Police said the accused befriended more than 500 women on Bumble and over 200 on Snapchat and WhatsApp. Over the period, he accumulated lots of personal data and pictures of the victims.
Tushar had a free run until a second-year student from Delhi University filed a complaint with the Cyber Police Station on December 13 last year. She had connected with the fake profile created by Bisht in January last year. When, the accused started using her personal photos for blackmail purposes, the woman approached Delhi police and filed an FIR.
An investigation was launched and later police raided Tushar&rsquo;s house in east Delhi. The police also retrieved over 60 WhatsApp chat records with women from Delhi and nearby regions. The probe is underway.
(With inputs from agencies)

India news| Police said the accused befriended more than 500 women on dating apps. Over the period, he accumulated lots of personal data and pictures of the victims.

A 23-year-old Delhi man was arrested Friday (Jan 3) from Shakarpur area after allegedly defrauding more than 700 women on dating apps like Bumble and Snapchat. Tushar Singh Bisht, who works as a recruiter at a private company in Uttar Pradesh's Noida, used to pose as a US-based model on dating websites by creating fake profiles. Bisht used a virtual international mobile number for registration on the apps and generated fake profile using photos of an actual Brazilian model. Then, he would befriend women aged between 18 and 30 saying he is a model who frequently visits India. Also read: 'Someone who wears suit worth ₹10 lakh talks about Sheesh Mahal doesn't sound good': AAP supremo Kejriwal's sheer response to PM Modi After gaining their trust, the Delhi resident would then ask for the victims’ phone numbers and private photos under the guise of friendship. According to a police statement, what Bisht started as a source of entertainment initially later turned into a systematic scheme of extortion. Tushar Singh would then use these pictures to blackmail those women and ask for money. He would also threaten to upload those pictures and visuals on social media or dark web if his demands were not met. Police said the accused befriended more than 500 women on Bumble and over 200 on Snapchat and WhatsApp. Over the period, he accumulated lots of personal data and pictures of the victims. Tushar had a free run until a second-year student from Delhi University filed a complaint with the Cyber Police Station on December 13 last year. She had connected with the fake profile created by Bisht in January last year. When, the accused started using her personal photos for blackmail purposes, the woman approached Delhi police and filed an FIR. An investigation was launched and later police raided Tushar’s house in east Delhi. The police also retrieved over 60 WhatsApp chat records with women from Delhi and nearby regions. The probe is underway. (With inputs from agencies)

Delhi man dupes 700 women on dating apps by posing as US model, now detained

In a shocking case of extortion, a 22-year-old man from Bengaluru has been arrested for allegedly blackmailing his girlfriend and extorting over USD 295,250 (₹2.5 crore), along with a luxury car and valuable items. The accused, identified as Mohan Kumar threatened to release intimate videos and photos of the woman unless she complied with his demands.

<h2>Police statement</h2>

Bengaluru Police Commissioner, B Dayananda, commented on the case, stating, "A complaint was registered by a girl that she was exploited by her boyfriend. This was a well-planned crime. The accused extorted USD 295,250 of which USD 94,480 (Rs 80 lakh) has been recovered. We have arrested the person. We are investigating the accused further."

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According to Bengaluru police, Kumar and the 20-year-old victim had known each other since their boarding school days but lost contact after graduation, the two reconnected a few years later and began dating. Kumar allegedly promised to marry the woman and lured her into taking trips together. During these trips, he secretly filmed intimate moments with her, assuring her that he would keep the recordings private.

<h2>Extortion begins</h2>

Kumar soon began threatening to expose the videos and photos if she did not comply with his financial demands. Fearing the public humiliation of her private images being shared, the victim transferred a total of USD 295,250 (₹2.57 crore) to Kumar over several months. This included USD 147,625 (₹1.25 crore) from her grandmother’s account and USD 155,892 ( ₹1.32 crore) in cash.

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<h2>Victim files complaint</h2>

After facing constant threats, the woman went to the Bengaluru police and filed a complaint against Kumar. The police then launched an investigation and arrested him under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

<h2>$ 94,480 recovered</h2>

In a significant breakthrough, police managed to recover&nbsp;$ 94,480&nbsp;&nbsp;(₹80 lakh) of the extorted money from Kumar. Further investigations are ongoing as authorities work to determine if there are other victims.

(with inputs from agencies)

In a shocking case of extortion, a 22-year-old man from Bengaluru has been arrested for allegedly blackmailing his girlfriend and extorting over USD 295,250 (₹2.

In a shocking case of extortion, a 22-year-old man from Bengaluru has been arrested for allegedly blackmailing his girlfriend and extorting over USD 295,250 (₹2.5 crore), along with a luxury car and valuable items. The accused, identified as Mohan Kumar threatened to release intimate videos and photos of the woman unless she complied with his demands. Police statement Bengaluru Police Commissioner, B Dayananda, commented on the case, stating, "A complaint was registered by a girl that she was exploited by her boyfriend. This was a well-planned crime. The accused extorted USD 295,250 of which USD 94,480 (Rs 80 lakh) has been recovered. We have arrested the person. We are investigating the accused further." Also read | Delhi businessman shot dead by two bike-borne men during morning walk According to Bengaluru police, Kumar and the 20-year-old victim had known each other since their boarding school days but lost contact after graduation, the two reconnected a few years later and began dating. Kumar allegedly promised to marry the woman and lured her into taking trips together. During these trips, he secretly filmed intimate moments with her, assuring her that he would keep the recordings private. Extortion begins Kumar soon began threatening to expose the videos and photos if she did not comply with his financial demands. Fearing the public humiliation of her private images being shared, the victim transferred a total of USD 295,250 (₹2.57 crore) to Kumar over several months. This included USD 147,625 (₹1.25 crore) from her grandmother’s account and USD 155,892 ( ₹1.32 crore) in cash. Also read | Backpack believed to be of man who shot UnitedHealth's Brian Thompson found in Central Park Victim files complaint After facing constant threats, the woman went to the Bengaluru police and filed a complaint against Kumar. The police then launched an investigation and arrested him under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). $ 94,480 recovered In a significant breakthrough, police managed to recover $ 94,480 (₹80 lakh) of the extorted money from Kumar. Further investigations are ongoing as authorities work to determine if there are other victims. (with inputs from agencies)

India: Bengaluru man arrested for extorting $295,250 and luxury car from girlfriend using private videos

The Indian government has reportedly launched a major investigation into Telegram, examining the platform’s potential involvement in criminal activities such as extortion and gambling. This probe could result in a ban if the findings warrant it.

Is Telegram’s future in India uncertain?

The messaging app Telegram is being investigated by the Indian government after concerns were raised regarding the company indulging in criminal activities like gambling and extortion, Indian news website Moneycontrol claimed in a report.&nbsp;

A government official informed the media platform about the development and added that the messaging app faces the risk of getting banned on the basis of the findings of the investigations, Moneycontrol reported.&nbsp;

The reports of the investigation emerged after the 39-year-old founder and chief executive officer of Telegram Pavel Durov was arrested in Paris on August 24 over the moderation policies of the application.&nbsp;

According to reports, he was detained by the police because he could not prevent criminal activities on the application.

"The Indian Cybercrime Co-ordination Centre (I4C) (under MHA) and MeitY have been looking into P2P communications on Telegram," said a government official, while speaking to Moneycontrol.

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According to Moneycontrol's report, the investigation is being conducted by India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Ministry of Home Affairs which are looking into criminal activities like extortion and gambling.

<h2>Telegram's India presence and involvement in criminal activities</h2>

In India, Telegram has more than 5 million registered users. The social media platform was in the news for becoming the place where the medical entrance exam papers were leaked and widely shared which led to the UGC-NEET controversy.

The government authorities have found it challenging to investigate Telegram because it does not have operations in India.

Direct communication has always been hindered because of the absence of local offices, which has complicated the efforts to get user data.

"We will examine the kind of material that we get and based on our laws, we will come to a conclusion," said the official, while speaking to Moneycontrol.

Watch:&nbsp;Telegram CEO Pavel Durov arrested in France

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French authorities arrested Durov at Bourget airport&nbsp;outside Paris and he is being investigated for the lack of moderators on Telegram.&nbsp;

As per Moneycontrol, because of this situation, criminal activities went on undeterred on the application.&nbsp;

The company released a statement on August 26, in which it said, "Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as a means of communication and as a source of vital information. We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation. Telegram is with you all... It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for abuse of that platform."

(With inputs from agencies)

The messaging app Telegram is being investigated by the Indian government after concerns were raised regarding the company indulging in criminal activities like gambling and extortion, Indian news website Moneycontrol claimed in a report.

The messaging app Telegram is being investigated by the Indian government after concerns were raised regarding the company indulging in criminal activities like gambling and extortion, Indian news website Moneycontrol claimed in a report. A government official informed the media platform about the development and added that the messaging app faces the risk of getting banned on the basis of the findings of the investigations, Moneycontrol reported. The reports of the investigation emerged after the 39-year-old founder and chief executive officer of Telegram Pavel Durov was arrested in Paris on August 24 over the moderation policies of the application. According to reports, he was detained by the police because he could not prevent criminal activities on the application. "The Indian Cybercrime Co-ordination Centre (I4C) (under MHA) and MeitY have been looking into P2P communications on Telegram," said a government official, while speaking to Moneycontrol. Also Read: Who is Pavel Durov? Telegram founder and CEO arrested in France According to Moneycontrol's report, the investigation is being conducted by India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Ministry of Home Affairs which are looking into criminal activities like extortion and gambling. Telegram's India presence and involvement in criminal activities In India, Telegram has more than 5 million registered users. The social media platform was in the news for becoming the place where the medical entrance exam papers were leaked and widely shared which led to the UGC-NEET controversy. The government authorities have found it challenging to investigate Telegram because it does not have operations in India. Direct communication has always been hindered because of the absence of local offices, which has complicated the efforts to get user data. "We will examine the kind of material that we get and based on our laws, we will come to a conclusion," said the official, while speaking to Moneycontrol. Watch: Telegram CEO Pavel Durov arrested in France French authorities arrested Durov at Bourget airport outside Paris and he is being investigated for the lack of moderators on Telegram. As per Moneycontrol, because of this situation, criminal activities went on undeterred on the application. The company released a statement on August 26, in which it said, "Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as a means of communication and as a source of vital information. We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation. Telegram is with you all... It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner is responsible for abuse of that platform." (With inputs from agencies)

Telegram gets probed by Indian govt for gambling and extortion, may face ban: Report

An aspiring bureaucrat was extorted of Rs 1.2 lakh when he went on a “dinner date” with a woman he matched on the dating app Tinder, not knowing it was a well-planned plot to scam him. The man was lured&nbsp;to meet at Delhi's Black Mirror Cafe in the Vikas Marg area on the pretext of celebrating her birthday on June 23.&nbsp;

According to&nbsp;NDTV, they had ordered two cakes, four non-alcoholic shots, and some snacks. The date was going well until the woman had to leave urgently due to a family emergency. When asked for the check, he was shocked to see the amount written on the bill – Rs 1,21,917.70.

The victim argued with the cafe for the unreasonable amount as the food he ordered should have cost him only a few thousand normally. However, he was threatened and forced to pay the full amount, which he paid online to one of the cafe owners, Akshay Pahwa. After he left the cafe, he promptly filed a case with the police.

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A team of four has been formed led by Inspector Sanjay Gupta to look into the case. The police took 32-year-old Akshay Pahwa, a resident of Shahdara in East Delhi, into custody.

During the investigation, he gave up information about the woman 25-year-old Versha, whose real name is revealed as Afsan Parveen. She also goes by the names Noor and Ayesha. She was on another "date" with a Mumbai man she met on Shaadi.com when police caught her.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
The Black Mirror cafe is owned by Akshay Pahwa, Vansh Pahwa, and Ansh Grover. While Akshay and Vansh are cousins, Ansh is their friend. The other people involved in this sinister plot were the manager, Digranshu and the table manager, Aryan, a class 7 dropout. The money extorted from the victims gets divided between the players involved.

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Aryan posed as Parveen and communicated with the victim on the dating app. Soon he invited him to the cafe to celebrate her birthday, where the victim met Parveen.&nbsp;

Parveen and Pahwa have been arrested by the police as the investigation continues. The cafe's register and their phones have also been impounded by the police. Measures are being taken to make further arrests of the people involved in the scam.

Cases of scamming men on dating apps have been on the rise in metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore.

(With inputs from agencies)

An aspiring bureaucrat was extorted of Rs 1.2 lakh when he went on a “dinner date” with a woman he matched on the dating app Tinder, not knowing it was a well-planned plot to scam him.

An aspiring bureaucrat was extorted of Rs 1.2 lakh when he went on a “dinner date” with a woman he matched on the dating app Tinder, not knowing it was a well-planned plot to scam him. The man was lured to meet at Delhi's Black Mirror Cafe in the Vikas Marg area on the pretext of celebrating her birthday on June 23. According to NDTV, they had ordered two cakes, four non-alcoholic shots, and some snacks. The date was going well until the woman had to leave urgently due to a family emergency. When asked for the check, he was shocked to see the amount written on the bill – Rs 1,21,917.70. The victim argued with the cafe for the unreasonable amount as the food he ordered should have cost him only a few thousand normally. However, he was threatened and forced to pay the full amount, which he paid online to one of the cafe owners, Akshay Pahwa. After he left the cafe, he promptly filed a case with the police. Also Read | Delhi airport forms committee to probe roof collapse A team of four has been formed led by Inspector Sanjay Gupta to look into the case. The police took 32-year-old Akshay Pahwa, a resident of Shahdara in East Delhi, into custody. During the investigation, he gave up information about the woman 25-year-old Versha, whose real name is revealed as Afsan Parveen. She also goes by the names Noor and Ayesha. She was on another "date" with a Mumbai man she met on Shaadi.com when police caught her. The Black Mirror cafe is owned by Akshay Pahwa, Vansh Pahwa, and Ansh Grover. While Akshay and Vansh are cousins, Ansh is their friend. The other people involved in this sinister plot were the manager, Digranshu and the table manager, Aryan, a class 7 dropout. The money extorted from the victims gets divided between the players involved. Also Read | NEET paper leak case: NSUI members barge into NTA office in Delhi, lock office Aryan posed as Parveen and communicated with the victim on the dating app. Soon he invited him to the cafe to celebrate her birthday, where the victim met Parveen. Parveen and Pahwa have been arrested by the police as the investigation continues. The cafe's register and their phones have also been impounded by the police. Measures are being taken to make further arrests of the people involved in the scam. Cases of scamming men on dating apps have been on the rise in metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bangalore. (With inputs from agencies)

A 'dinner date' with a Tinder match costs man Rs 1.2 lakh

Two Canadian mayors have urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government to tackle increasing extortion threats toward businesses in their cities that particularly target Indo-Canadians.

Local reports mentioned that the mayors of Brampton, Ont., and Surrey, B.C. sent a letter to the federal minister of public safety this week, stating that they are deeply concerned for their communities due to the threats. As per the report, the threats are majorly directed towards South Asians.&nbsp;

The letter signed by Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke, read: "These incidents have instilled fear in our communities and highlight the urgent need for a coordinated response involving multiple jurisdictions."&nbsp;

"We urge your ministry to recognise the inter-jurisdictional nature of these threats and to spearhead a coordinated response that ensures the safety and security of all affected communities across Canada," they added.&nbsp;

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The situation is quite serious as the mayors said recent reports have confirmed that there are links between the extortion attempts and violent acts in their provinces.&nbsp;

The mayors wrote in their letter, "It is imperative the federal government, through your ministry, takes a leading role in facilitating this collaboration."&nbsp;

"By leveraging the resources and intelligence capabilities of the RCMP, in concert with local law enforcement agencies, we can formulate a robust and unified approach to tackle this issue," they added.&nbsp;

As quoted by CBC, a spokesperson for the federal public safety minister said the RCMP is working with local police forces to tackle the issue.&nbsp;

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Watch:&nbsp;Reports find 90% of child sexual abuse content to be self-created&nbsp;

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In a statement, Jean-Sebastien Comeau wrote: "These threats of extortion are deeply concerning. "If Canadians suspect they are the target of an extortion attempt, they should report it immediately to their local police force."&nbsp;

Peel Regional Police last month said that it had launched a task force to assess a "disturbing trend" of extortion threats, which are mostly targeting the South Asian business community.&nbsp;

Peel police Chief Nishan Duraiappah wrote in a December statement: "This has caused grave safety and security concerns among our community members. Terrorising our residents will not be tolerated."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Two Canadian mayors have urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government to tackle increasing extortion threats toward businesses in their cities that particularly target Indo-Canadians.

Two Canadian mayors have urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government to tackle increasing extortion threats toward businesses in their cities that particularly target Indo-Canadians. Local reports mentioned that the mayors of Brampton, Ont., and Surrey, B.C. sent a letter to the federal minister of public safety this week, stating that they are deeply concerned for their communities due to the threats. As per the report, the threats are majorly directed towards South Asians. The letter signed by Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke, read: "These incidents have instilled fear in our communities and highlight the urgent need for a coordinated response involving multiple jurisdictions." "We urge your ministry to recognise the inter-jurisdictional nature of these threats and to spearhead a coordinated response that ensures the safety and security of all affected communities across Canada," they added. Also read: Khalistani terrorist Pannun issues fresh warning to Indian PM Narendra Modi: ‘I dare Modi...’ The situation is quite serious as the mayors said recent reports have confirmed that there are links between the extortion attempts and violent acts in their provinces. The mayors wrote in their letter, "It is imperative the federal government, through your ministry, takes a leading role in facilitating this collaboration." "By leveraging the resources and intelligence capabilities of the RCMP, in concert with local law enforcement agencies, we can formulate a robust and unified approach to tackle this issue," they added. As quoted by CBC, a spokesperson for the federal public safety minister said the RCMP is working with local police forces to tackle the issue. Also read: Qantas Airways issues full refund after passengers allege 10-hour flight 'sitting in urine' Watch: Reports find 90% of child sexual abuse content to be self-created × In a statement, Jean-Sebastien Comeau wrote: "These threats of extortion are deeply concerning. "If Canadians suspect they are the target of an extortion attempt, they should report it immediately to their local police force." Peel Regional Police last month said that it had launched a task force to assess a "disturbing trend" of extortion threats, which are mostly targeting the South Asian business community. Peel police Chief Nishan Duraiappah wrote in a December statement: "This has caused grave safety and security concerns among our community members. Terrorising our residents will not be tolerated." (With inputs from agencies)

Canadian mayors urge Trudeau government to tackle rising extortion threats against Indo-Canadians

The armed men who kidnapped 32 migrants in northern Mexico over the weekend aimed to extort money from them and their families in the United States, Mexico's president said on Thursday, one day after the migrants were released from captivity.

He said that the migrants, who were found on Wednesday, were abandoned by their kidnappers in a parking lot in a shopping center in the northern city of Reynosa in the state of Tamaulipas.

"Because there was a strong deployment (from Mexican authorities), they decided to free them, safe and sound," President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said in his morning press conference.

The case has highlighted the risks faced by the hundreds of thousands of migrants who cross through Mexico en route to the U.S. border each year, who are targets of extortion and kidnapping by powerful criminal groups.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-un-calls-for-more-production-of-missile-launchers-amid-us-south-korea-wargames-676745">Kim Jong Un calls for more production of missile launchers amid US-South Korea wargames</a>

Human rights activists have been warning for months about an escalating kidnapping crisis in Reynosa, where last year Reuters documented a pattern of kidnappings - and at times sexual assault - of migrants and asylum seekers.

The 32 migrants were abducted on Saturday from a commercial bus that had departed the northern city of Monterrey for Matamoros, across from Brownsville, Texas, according to Mexican officials. They were forced off the bus while traveling through Reynosa and whisked away in cars by armed men, officials added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-east-asia/indonesia-bandung-train-collision-three-dead-on-java-island-several-others-injured-676750">Indonesia Bandung train collision: Three dead on Java Island, several others injured</a>

In a separate case, authorities in the border state of Sonora said on Thursday they had rescued around 20 migrants, many also kidnapped off busses.

<h2>Investigation opened&nbsp;</h2>

The group kidnapped in Reynosa was discovered after an anonymous caller tipped off authorities to their whereabouts, the state security agency's spokesman told Reuters.

The 32 migrants ranged in age from a 71-year-old man to a 1-year-old baby girl, with a total of 11 minors, he said, adding 26 were from Venezuela and six from Honduras.

The state attorney general's office said the migrants had given their testimonies and that the office has opened an investigation. No one has been arrested so far, Cuellar said.

Late on Thursday, Mexico's national migration institute said it would grant the migrants humanitarian visas.

A record number of migrants traveled across Central America and Mexico in 2023 aiming to reach the United States, fleeing poverty, violence, climate change and conflict.

Earlier this week, a 4,000-person caravan traveling through southern Mexico dispersed after leaders said migration authorities had promised to provide travel permits.

But the caravan's leader, Luis Garcia, said in a statement on Thursday that some migrants were "abandoned on the street" by authorities.

Mexico's migration institute did not respond to a request for comment.

<h2>"So scared"</h2>

The mass kidnapping has sparked increased fear among migrants in Mexico.

Diego Vargas, 25, of Colombia, said that just after Christmas, he and his wife landed a coveted appointment on a U.S. government app called CBP One, allowing them to approach a port of entry and cross into the United States legally.

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-foreign-ministry-issues-warning-to-houthis-us-joe-biden-urges-to-strike-houthis-wion-676747">UK Foreign Ministry issues warning to Houthis; US' Joe Biden urges to strike Houthis | WION</a>

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The appointment is scheduled at the Matamoros crossing in mid-January, he said.

But after learning of the kidnapping, he says he and his wife are faced with an impossible choice: risk their lives traveling on the same highway, or return to their country, where he says they fled death threats by a paramilitary group.

"We're so scared to try to reach the border," he said.

The armed men who kidnapped 32 migrants in northern Mexico over the weekend aimed to extort money from them and their families in the United States, Mexico's president said on Thursday, one day after the migrants were released from captivity.

The armed men who kidnapped 32 migrants in northern Mexico over the weekend aimed to extort money from them and their families in the United States, Mexico's president said on Thursday, one day after the migrants were released from captivity. He said that the migrants, who were found on Wednesday, were abandoned by their kidnappers in a parking lot in a shopping center in the northern city of Reynosa in the state of Tamaulipas. "Because there was a strong deployment (from Mexican authorities), they decided to free them, safe and sound," President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said in his morning press conference. The case has highlighted the risks faced by the hundreds of thousands of migrants who cross through Mexico en route to the U.S. border each year, who are targets of extortion and kidnapping by powerful criminal groups. Also Read | Kim Jong Un calls for more production of missile launchers amid US-South Korea wargames Human rights activists have been warning for months about an escalating kidnapping crisis in Reynosa, where last year Reuters documented a pattern of kidnappings - and at times sexual assault - of migrants and asylum seekers. The 32 migrants were abducted on Saturday from a commercial bus that had departed the northern city of Monterrey for Matamoros, across from Brownsville, Texas, according to Mexican officials. They were forced off the bus while traveling through Reynosa and whisked away in cars by armed men, officials added. Indonesia Bandung train collision: Three dead on Java Island, several others injured In a separate case, authorities in the border state of Sonora said on Thursday they had rescued around 20 migrants, many also kidnapped off busses. Investigation opened The group kidnapped in Reynosa was discovered after an anonymous caller tipped off authorities to their whereabouts, the state security agency's spokesman told Reuters. The 32 migrants ranged in age from a 71-year-old man to a 1-year-old baby girl, with a total of 11 minors, he said, adding 26 were from Venezuela and six from Honduras. The state attorney general's office said the migrants had given their testimonies and that the office has opened an investigation. No one has been arrested so far, Cuellar said. Late on Thursday, Mexico's national migration institute said it would grant the migrants humanitarian visas. A record number of migrants traveled across Central America and Mexico in 2023 aiming to reach the United States, fleeing poverty, violence, climate change and conflict. Earlier this week, a 4,000-person caravan traveling through southern Mexico dispersed after leaders said migration authorities had promised to provide travel permits. But the caravan's leader, Luis Garcia, said in a statement on Thursday that some migrants were "abandoned on the street" by authorities. Mexico's migration institute did not respond to a request for comment. "So scared" The mass kidnapping has sparked increased fear among migrants in Mexico. Diego Vargas, 25, of Colombia, said that just after Christmas, he and his wife landed a coveted appointment on a U.S. government app called CBP One, allowing them to approach a port of entry and cross into the United States legally. Watch | UK Foreign Ministry issues warning to Houthis; US' Joe Biden urges to strike Houthis | WION × The appointment is scheduled at the Matamoros crossing in mid-January, he said. But after learning of the kidnapping, he says he and his wife are faced with an impossible choice: risk their lives traveling on the same highway, or return to their country, where he says they fled death threats by a paramilitary group. "We're so scared to try to reach the border," he said.

Armed men kidnapped 32 migrants in Mexico for extortion, president says

A newly-made road in India’s Uttar Pradesh state was dug up and destroyed allegedly by a local MLA’s aide after the contractor refused to pay “goonda tax”. The incident took place in Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur district, where a group of people, claiming to be local MLA’s associates destroyed a 7-km road using JCB, assaulted workers and set machines on fire.

The word “goonda” is often used in the Indian subcontinent to refer to a hired goon or criminal. ‘Goonda tax’ refers to undue commission&nbsp;or extortion money under the claims of providing protection. The practice of collecting of “goonda tax” is a prominent problem in parts of Uttar Pradesh.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-declares-two-more-syrups-as-toxic-after-reports-of-poisoning-deaths-642796">India declares two more syrups as 'toxic' after reports of poisoning deaths</a>

In April this year, Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claimed that his government has improved law and order in the state, eliminating all kinds of goons and criminals who extort or harass people, like street vendors for ‘goonda tax’.

But there are still few cases of illegal commissions here and there in the state, and the recent incident highlights this persistent problem.&nbsp;

<h2>Dug up newly-made road over ‘goonda tax’ row</h2>

Gorakhpur-based contractor Shakuntala Singh said that it was Jagveer Singh, who identifies himself as "the local MLA's representative", who obstructed the construction and damaged public property.

A cop, on condition of anonymity, said that "main accused Singh is indeed often seen with the MLA".

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sikkim-floods-dalai-lama-expresses-grief-as-14-dead-102-missing-over-3000-stranded-in-flash-floods-642752">Sikkim floods: Dalai Lama expresses grief following devastation caused by flash floods</a>

The policeman added, "The budget for the road construction was Rs 12 crore and a local politician was allegedly demanding a hefty commission for it." Jagveer Singh and 15-20 unidentified individuals were booked for Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and other relevant sections of the IPC.

<h2>District Magistrate assures action against accused&nbsp;</h2>

The District Magistrate (DM) on Wednesday initiated an inquiry in the case and assures action against accused involved. He said, “We won’t tolerate such activities. An FIR has been filed and three people have so far been arrested, the key accused, Jagveer, is still at large.”&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/who-is-mahbouba-seraj-afghan-woman-activist-nominated-for-nobel-peace-prize-642693">Who is Mahbouba Seraj? Afghan woman activist nominated for Nobel Peace Prize</a>

In response to the allegations, the local MLA said, "The contractor used low-quality material to make the road and I raised this issue. He must have damaged the road himself and lodged an FIR to get insurance claim."

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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&nbsp;

A newly-made road in India’s Uttar Pradesh state was dug up and destroyed allegedly by a local MLA’s aide after the contractor refused to pay “goonda tax”. The incident took place in Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur district, where a group of people, claiming to be local MLA’s associates destroyed a 7-km road using JCB, assaulted workers and set machines on fire.

A newly-made road in India’s Uttar Pradesh state was dug up and destroyed allegedly by a local MLA’s aide after the contractor refused to pay “goonda tax”. The incident took place in Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur district, where a group of people, claiming to be local MLA’s associates destroyed a 7-km road using JCB, assaulted workers and set machines on fire. The word “goonda” is often used in the Indian subcontinent to refer to a hired goon or criminal. ‘Goonda tax’ refers to undue commission or extortion money under the claims of providing protection. The practice of collecting of “goonda tax” is a prominent problem in parts of Uttar Pradesh. Also Read | India declares two more syrups as 'toxic' after reports of poisoning deaths In April this year, Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claimed that his government has improved law and order in the state, eliminating all kinds of goons and criminals who extort or harass people, like street vendors for ‘goonda tax’. But there are still few cases of illegal commissions here and there in the state, and the recent incident highlights this persistent problem. Dug up newly-made road over ‘goonda tax’ row Gorakhpur-based contractor Shakuntala Singh said that it was Jagveer Singh, who identifies himself as "the local MLA's representative", who obstructed the construction and damaged public property. A cop, on condition of anonymity, said that "main accused Singh is indeed often seen with the MLA". Also Read | Sikkim floods: Dalai Lama expresses grief following devastation caused by flash floods The policeman added, "The budget for the road construction was Rs 12 crore and a local politician was allegedly demanding a hefty commission for it." Jagveer Singh and 15-20 unidentified individuals were booked for Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and other relevant sections of the IPC. District Magistrate assures action against accused The District Magistrate (DM) on Wednesday initiated an inquiry in the case and assures action against accused involved. He said, “We won’t tolerate such activities. An FIR has been filed and three people have so far been arrested, the key accused, Jagveer, is still at large.” Also Read | Who is Mahbouba Seraj? Afghan woman activist nominated for Nobel Peace Prize In response to the allegations, the local MLA said, "The contractor used low-quality material to make the road and I raised this issue. He must have damaged the road himself and lodged an FIR to get insurance claim." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

India: Local MLA's aide digs up newly-made road in UP as contractor refuses to pay 'goonda tax'

With time, trends change, and in this digital age, every day a new scam comes to light. The latest scam to shock the world is called "sextortion" and the victims are young men. These scams are happening on social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram.

Here's all you need to know:

<h2>What is 'sextortion'?</h2>

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) defines 'sextortion' as a "serious crime" in which a perpetrator threatens to make public their victim's private information, images, videos or other data. This includes nude images, and more often than not, is done as a way to extort huge sums of money.

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Sending just one explicit image to another person online could become the catalyst for child sexual exploitation and sextortion. Help the FBI <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StopSextortion?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StopSextortion</a>. <a href="https://t.co/4nclJPCz3H">pic.twitter.com/4nclJPCz3H</a>
— FBI Los Angeles (@FBILosAngeles) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBILosAngeles/status/1669393156977115136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2023</a></blockquote>
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In a conversation with Fox News, a former Snapchat employee, speaking on condition of anonymity, said,&nbsp;"The potential harm, especially as it relates to minors, is severe."

He revealed that "We've seen thousands of reports this year. But … the ratio of reported to not reported is pretty high." He alleged that probably less than 5 per cent of the cases actually get reported.

Reportedly, on Snapchat, the issue began popping up more frequently around the beginning of 2021.

<h2>How does 'sextortion' work?</h2>

It's a financially motivated fraud. Do you remember the "Nigerian Princes" who around 20 years ago would email people asking them for "small help"? These days, those emails, and messages from bad actors posing as Nigerian royalty are nothing more than meme material and something that can be used to poke fun at the older generation.&nbsp;

Similarly, sextortion is the latest fraud. In it, similar bad actors target young, gullible men. Posing as attractive young women from the United States or Western Europe, these fraudsters send their victim&nbsp;friend&nbsp;requests.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/previously-undocumented-effect-of-ivf-uncovered-helps-1-in-5-women-conceive-naturally-second-time-around-606828">Previously undocumented effect of IVF uncovered; helps 1-in-5 women conceive naturally second time around</a>

Over time, they establish trust and eventually start requesting nudes. Once the victim sends the personal images, these "sextortionists" threaten to post these images online.

Threatening to expose the victims' nudes, they extort money.&nbsp;

As per the Fox News report, the former Snapchat employee told them that in some cases, the scammers paste their target's nude images on fake "FBI Most Wanted" posters. They list them as sex offenders, paedophiles, child rapists and murderers.&nbsp;

Incidentally, as per him, these new scams also mostly originate from Nigeria. However, he says,&nbsp;"It's pretty much understood that when we report this stuff, it's not going anywhere. The FBI doesn't have enough leverage with Nigerian authorities. Nigerian authorities don't have enough resources to do it, anyway."

<h2>Why target young men?</h2>

Simply put, "Young men are not used to this at all."

As per the former Snapchat employee, "They're targeting young men because young men are most likely to fall for this type of scheme."

He further remarked, "Also, young men are not used to&nbsp;being targeted like this."

According to the Fox News report, compared to young men, young women are not so easy to scam through this method. As young girls, they are taught to be cautious while talking to strangers online.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-the-crimes-of-andrew-tate-what-do-the-charges-say-606788">Explained: The crimes of Andrew Tate. What do the charges say?</a>

In cases where they do become a victim of sextortion, it is mostly about sexual content. They are mostly forced to send more sexually explicit content. However, young men face fraud where money is demanded from them.

Such abuse can have a huge devastating impact on young victims, especially teenagers, who do not know what to do or who to turn to for help.&nbsp;

<h2>Extreme, tragic steps by victims</h2>

In some cases, victims of such sextortion scams end up taking extreme steps. Fox News reports that, in some cases, young people have been known to resort to self-harm and suicide.

Last year, Jordan DeMay, a 17-year-old teenager from Michigan, took his own life after falling prey to sextortion. On 25 March 2022, the high school student was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.&nbsp;

<img alt="Jordan DeMay" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ab30b5ac-ec31-4a64-a3e6-cd8d9b0092ba" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%20%2819%29_0.png" />

17-year-old&nbsp;Jordan DeMay. Image:&nbsp;Cerfia/Twitter

On Instagram, he was approached by scammers posing as a young woman under the account alias "dani.roberts".

As per Fox News, the account was real, and it belonged to the real Dani Roberts, but was hacked. DeMay's nudes were used to leverage money, but once the young boy found himself unable to cough up any more money, he chose to end his life.

In another similar case, Gavin Guffey, the 17-year-old son of South Carolina state representative Brandon Guffey, killed himself after falling prey to a sextortion scam.

Back in July 2022, the young man was tricked by blackmailers posing as a young girl. After sending a nude picture, he faced extortion.&nbsp;

<img alt="Gavin Guffey" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7bad894d-1f52-4496-bfde-68954b2cdb58" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/New%20wion%20%2820%29_1.png" />

17-year-old&nbsp;Gavin Guffey (2nd from right) with his family. Image:&nbsp;ClickActu/Twitter

As per a report by UK-based Independent, the recent high-school graduate ended up sending the scammers $25 by Venmo. This was all the money young Gavin Guffey had in his account.&nbsp;

He reportedly begged the blackmailers for time to raise extra money but was only pushed. Under pressure, the teenager chose to kill himself with a self-inflicted gun wound.

Even after his death, the sextortionists reportedly kept up their efforts to extort his family. As per a CNN report from May 2023, Representative Brandon Guffey reported that the messages started just weeks after the 17-year-old's funeral. On August 20, the day young Gavin Guffey would've turned 18, the blackmailers sent his father a message which said, 'Did I tell you your son begged for his life,' with a laughing face emoji. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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With time, trends change, and in this digital age, every day a new scam comes to light. The latest scam to shock the world is called "sextortion" and the victims are young men.

With time, trends change, and in this digital age, every day a new scam comes to light. The latest scam to shock the world is called "sextortion" and the victims are young men. These scams are happening on social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram. Here's all you need to know: What is 'sextortion'? The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) defines 'sextortion' as a "serious crime" in which a perpetrator threatens to make public their victim's private information, images, videos or other data. This includes nude images, and more often than not, is done as a way to extort huge sums of money. Sending just one explicit image to another person online could become the catalyst for child sexual exploitation and sextortion. Help the FBI #StopSextortion. pic.twitter.com/4nclJPCz3H — FBI Los Angeles (@FBILosAngeles) June 15, 2023 × In a conversation with Fox News, a former Snapchat employee, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "The potential harm, especially as it relates to minors, is severe." He revealed that "We've seen thousands of reports this year. But … the ratio of reported to not reported is pretty high." He alleged that probably less than 5 per cent of the cases actually get reported. Reportedly, on Snapchat, the issue began popping up more frequently around the beginning of 2021. How does 'sextortion' work? It's a financially motivated fraud. Do you remember the "Nigerian Princes" who around 20 years ago would email people asking them for "small help"? These days, those emails, and messages from bad actors posing as Nigerian royalty are nothing more than meme material and something that can be used to poke fun at the older generation. Similarly, sextortion is the latest fraud. In it, similar bad actors target young, gullible men. Posing as attractive young women from the United States or Western Europe, these fraudsters send their victim friend requests. Also read | Previously undocumented effect of IVF uncovered; helps 1-in-5 women conceive naturally second time around Over time, they establish trust and eventually start requesting nudes. Once the victim sends the personal images, these "sextortionists" threaten to post these images online. Threatening to expose the victims' nudes, they extort money. As per the Fox News report, the former Snapchat employee told them that in some cases, the scammers paste their target's nude images on fake "FBI Most Wanted" posters. They list them as sex offenders, paedophiles, child rapists and murderers. Incidentally, as per him, these new scams also mostly originate from Nigeria. However, he says, "It's pretty much understood that when we report this stuff, it's not going anywhere. The FBI doesn't have enough leverage with Nigerian authorities. Nigerian authorities don't have enough resources to do it, anyway." Why target young men? Simply put, "Young men are not used to this at all." As per the former Snapchat employee, "They're targeting young men because young men are most likely to fall for this type of scheme." He further remarked, "Also, young men are not used to being targeted like this." According to the Fox News report, compared to young men, young women are not so easy to scam through this method. As young girls, they are taught to be cautious while talking to strangers online. Also read | Explained: The crimes of Andrew Tate. What do the charges say? In cases where they do become a victim of sextortion, it is mostly about sexual content. They are mostly forced to send more sexually explicit content. However, young men face fraud where money is demanded from them. Such abuse can have a huge devastating impact on young victims, especially teenagers, who do not know what to do or who to turn to for help. Extreme, tragic steps by victims In some cases, victims of such sextortion scams end up taking extreme steps. Fox News reports that, in some cases, young people have been known to resort to self-harm and suicide. Last year, Jordan DeMay, a 17-year-old teenager from Michigan, took his own life after falling prey to sextortion. On 25 March 2022, the high school student was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 17-year-old Jordan DeMay. Image: Cerfia/Twitter On Instagram, he was approached by scammers posing as a young woman under the account alias "dani.roberts". As per Fox News, the account was real, and it belonged to the real Dani Roberts, but was hacked. DeMay's nudes were used to leverage money, but once the young boy found himself unable to cough up any more money, he chose to end his life. In another similar case, Gavin Guffey, the 17-year-old son of South Carolina state representative Brandon Guffey, killed himself after falling prey to a sextortion scam. Back in July 2022, the young man was tricked by blackmailers posing as a young girl. After sending a nude picture, he faced extortion. 17-year-old Gavin Guffey (2nd from right) with his family. Image: ClickActu/Twitter As per a report by UK-based Independent, the recent high-school graduate ended up sending the scammers $25 by Venmo. This was all the money young Gavin Guffey had in his account. He reportedly begged the blackmailers for time to raise extra money but was only pushed. Under pressure, the teenager chose to kill himself with a self-inflicted gun wound. Even after his death, the sextortionists reportedly kept up their efforts to extort his family. As per a CNN report from May 2023, Representative Brandon Guffey reported that the messages started just weeks after the 17-year-old's funeral. On August 20, the day young Gavin Guffey would've turned 18, the blackmailers sent his father a message which said, 'Did I tell you your son begged for his life,' with a laughing face emoji. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: 'Sextortion', the new 'Nigerian prince' scam on Snapchat and Instagram

In Colombia, a police officer had to be hospitalised after swallowing a wad of banknotes. The policeman reportedly did this to avoid getting caught in the middle of an extortion case.

As per a report in The Guardian, in return for not arresting his victim on false charges, the police officer had demanded a bribe from a businessman.

However, unknown to him, the businessman had already reported the shakedown to Colombia's anti-kidnapping and extortion unit.&nbsp;

<h2>'Hungry Hungry' <s>Hippos</s>&nbsp;police officer</h2>

When anti-corruption investigators arrived at the scene of the shakedown&nbsp;in the suburb of Soacha near the capital, Bogotá, the officer hastily swallowed the cash in an attempt to destroy the evidence.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joy-for-whole-country-four-colombian-children-rescued-from-dense-jungle-five-weeks-after-plane-crash-602755">Miracle: Four Indigenous children rescued from dense Amazon jungle 40 days after plane crash</a>

<h2>Was he successful in destroying evidence?</h2>

No, unfortunately for him, the banknotes got lodged in his throat, obstructing his airways and sending him to the emergency room.

Videos circulating online captured the pale-faced officer protesting his innocence while sitting in a police van after swallowing nine notes. In the video, the police officer can be seen visibly in discomfort, coughing to try to dislodge the notes stuck in his throat.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Polic%C3%ADas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Policías</a> acusados de <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Extorsi%C3%B3n?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Extorsión</a> a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Comerciantes?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Comerciantes</a> se comen <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Billetes?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Billetes</a> para evitar <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/C%C3%A1rcel?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cárcel</a> en <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Colombia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Colombia</a> 🫰🏻👮🏻‍♂️💸 
 
Se realizó la captura y posterior legalización de dos patrulleros que estaban haciendo prácticas <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Corruptas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Corruptas</a> extorsionando a un comerciante de <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Soacha?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Soacha</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FyP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FyP</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/V%C3%ADdeo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Vídeo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Viral?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Viral</a> <a href="https://t.co/Yd59pILnHm">pic.twitter.com/Yd59pILnHm</a>
— ÉdGa®️ Bustillo (@edbusti) <a href="https://twitter.com/edbusti/status/1669316965125566464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Even as he recoils and gasps for breath, in the video, the officer can be heard saying: "I have received nothing, absolutely nothing, I don't know what they are talking about."

Despite his pleas, the evidence against him was substantial.&nbsp;

One anti-corruption officer can be heard stating, "We'll have to take him to the hospital to get him cleaned."

Anti-corruption officers provided emergency medical assistance to the choking officer, who was subsequently transported to a hospital for treatment.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/after-spending-record-100-days-underwater-floridas-dr-deep-resurfaces-602805">After record 100 days underwater, Florida's Dr Deep resurfaces. Here's why he achieved the amazing feat</a>

<h2>How much money did he swallow?</h2>

Doctors were able to remove the 500,000 pesos (£95) worth of banknotes, but the officer remained hospitalised to receive stomach-related treatment.&nbsp;

Talking to Blu Radio, the director of the Cundinamarca Prosecutor's Office, Carlos Manuel Silva, revealed that the uniformed officer swallowed "a 100,000 bill and eight 50,000-peso bills, totalling 500,000 pesos."

<h2>Notes of strong material</h2>

The local attorney's office emphasised the durability of paper money, stating that it is not easily digested.

"The material with which the bills are made is a strong material, it is paper money and it is not easily digested," said the director of the local attorney's office while talking to local reporters.

<h2>The meme fest</h2>

This audacious corruption incident has sparked a wave of memes online — many of them Simpsons-themed — mocking the officer's ill-fated attempt to evade justice.

Take a look at some of the best satirical memes:

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Billetes: Existen 
Los policías más hambrientos: <a href="https://t.co/4tRBdnldrh">pic.twitter.com/4tRBdnldrh</a>
— Desinformadon't (@CIUDADANODEB1EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/CIUDADANODEB1EN/status/1668712585359704064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Los simpsons predijeron a los tombos comebilletes: <a href="https://t.co/hiaRgzwqrx">pic.twitter.com/hiaRgzwqrx</a>
— Juan Manuel Oquendo Lopez 🇵🇸 🇪🇭☭🏴‍☠️ (@JuanMOquendoL) <a href="https://twitter.com/JuanMOquendoL/status/1668680287180447745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2023</a></blockquote>
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En el caso de los policías come billetes solo me queda por decir que cada quien ahorra como quiere. 
Los policías: <a href="https://t.co/tbDGwMFKc6">pic.twitter.com/tbDGwMFKc6</a>
— el gato con manos (@elgatoacuadros) <a href="https://twitter.com/elgatoacuadros/status/1668999279610920962?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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"Debe estar pensando en otra." 
 
*¿Los policías se comerían los billetes en rollito o en bolita? <a href="https://t.co/FEE3EQoti0">pic.twitter.com/FEE3EQoti0</a>
— Danny Hernández 🦴 (@danny8002) <a href="https://twitter.com/danny8002/status/1668818463350231042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Y si es delito que me tenga que embutir el dinero de una extorsión para que no me sindiquen, me declaro culpable. <a href="https://t.co/1tyGapresA">pic.twitter.com/1tyGapresA</a>
— Mauricio Ruiz (@Maurici71529748) <a href="https://twitter.com/Maurici71529748/status/1669046174530039808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Eso Memes de los policías, comiéndose los billetes del soborno, jajajajajajaja Que Caja <a href="https://t.co/lqrjkEqov7">pic.twitter.com/lqrjkEqov7</a>
— Jhonny Melo (@JhonnyMelo2) <a href="https://twitter.com/JhonnyMelo2/status/1668998466251509760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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"Debe estar pensando en otra." 
 
*¿Los policías se comerían los billetes en rollito o en bolita? <a href="https://t.co/FEE3EQoti0">pic.twitter.com/FEE3EQoti0</a>
— Danny Hernández 🦴 (@danny8002) <a href="https://twitter.com/danny8002/status/1668818463350231042?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2>What will happen to the corrupt police officer?</h2>

As per Bogotá's Blu Radio, the officer and a colleague allegedly used false accusations of a sexual crime to force the business owner into coughing up a total of two&nbsp;million pesos.

Even though the victim managed to gather half of the demanded amount, the officer was unsatisfied and subsequently detained the individual at a police station for two hours in an attempt to extort the remaining funds.

Both officers are now the subject of a criminal investigation, according to the local prosecutor's office.

<h2>Colombia and corruption</h2>

The Guardian reports that corruption within Colombia's police force is a pervasive issue. This incident seems to have provided a twisted sense of pleasure to many extortion victims, who in the past have been forced to pay bribes to uniformed officers.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In Colombia, a police officer had to be hospitalised after swallowing a wad of banknotes. The policeman reportedly did this to avoid getting caught in the middle of an extortion case.

In Colombia, a police officer had to be hospitalised after swallowing a wad of banknotes. The policeman reportedly did this to avoid getting caught in the middle of an extortion case. As per a report in The Guardian, in return for not arresting his victim on false charges, the police officer had demanded a bribe from a businessman. However, unknown to him, the businessman had already reported the shakedown to Colombia's anti-kidnapping and extortion unit. 'Hungry Hungry' Hippos police officer When anti-corruption investigators arrived at the scene of the shakedown in the suburb of Soacha near the capital, Bogotá, the officer hastily swallowed the cash in an attempt to destroy the evidence. Also read | Miracle: Four Indigenous children rescued from dense Amazon jungle 40 days after plane crash Was he successful in destroying evidence? No, unfortunately for him, the banknotes got lodged in his throat, obstructing his airways and sending him to the emergency room. Videos circulating online captured the pale-faced officer protesting his innocence while sitting in a police van after swallowing nine notes. In the video, the police officer can be seen visibly in discomfort, coughing to try to dislodge the notes stuck in his throat. #Policías acusados de #Extorsión a #Comerciantes se comen #Billetes para evitar #Cárcel en #Colombia 🫰🏻👮🏻‍♂️💸 Se realizó la captura y posterior legalización de dos patrulleros que estaban haciendo prácticas #Corruptas extorsionando a un comerciante de #Soacha.#FyP #Vídeo #Viral pic.twitter.com/Yd59pILnHm — ÉdGa®️ Bustillo (@edbusti) June 15, 2023 × Even as he recoils and gasps for breath, in the video, the officer can be heard saying: "I have received nothing, absolutely nothing, I don't know what they are talking about." Despite his pleas, the evidence against him was substantial. One anti-corruption officer can be heard stating, "We'll have to take him to the hospital to get him cleaned." Anti-corruption officers provided emergency medical assistance to the choking officer, who was subsequently transported to a hospital for treatment. Also read | After record 100 days underwater, Florida's Dr Deep resurfaces. Here's why he achieved the amazing feat How much money did he swallow? Doctors were able to remove the 500,000 pesos (£95) worth of banknotes, but the officer remained hospitalised to receive stomach-related treatment. Talking to Blu Radio, the director of the Cundinamarca Prosecutor's Office, Carlos Manuel Silva, revealed that the uniformed officer swallowed "a 100,000 bill and eight 50,000-peso bills, totalling 500,000 pesos." Notes of strong material The local attorney's office emphasised the durability of paper money, stating that it is not easily digested. "The material with which the bills are made is a strong material, it is paper money and it is not easily digested," said the director of the local attorney's office while talking to local reporters. The meme fest This audacious corruption incident has sparked a wave of memes online — many of them Simpsons-themed — mocking the officer's ill-fated attempt to evade justice. Take a look at some of the best satirical memes: Billetes: Existen Los policías más hambrientos: pic.twitter.com/4tRBdnldrh — Desinformadon't (@CIUDADANODEB1EN) June 13, 2023 × Los simpsons predijeron a los tombos comebilletes: pic.twitter.com/hiaRgzwqrx — Juan Manuel Oquendo Lopez 🇵🇸 🇪🇭☭🏴‍☠️ (@JuanMOquendoL) June 13, 2023 × En el caso de los policías come billetes solo me queda por decir que cada quien ahorra como quiere. Los policías: pic.twitter.com/tbDGwMFKc6 — el gato con manos (@elgatoacuadros) June 14, 2023 × "Debe estar pensando en otra." *¿Los policías se comerían los billetes en rollito o en bolita? pic.twitter.com/FEE3EQoti0 — Danny Hernández 🦴 (@danny8002) June 14, 2023 × Y si es delito que me tenga que embutir el dinero de una extorsión para que no me sindiquen, me declaro culpable. pic.twitter.com/1tyGapresA — Mauricio Ruiz (@Maurici71529748) June 14, 2023 × Eso Memes de los policías, comiéndose los billetes del soborno, jajajajajajaja Que Caja pic.twitter.com/lqrjkEqov7 — Jhonny Melo (@JhonnyMelo2) June 14, 2023 × "Debe estar pensando en otra." *¿Los policías se comerían los billetes en rollito o en bolita? pic.twitter.com/FEE3EQoti0 — Danny Hernández 🦴 (@danny8002) June 14, 2023 × What will happen to the corrupt police officer? As per Bogotá's Blu Radio, the officer and a colleague allegedly used false accusations of a sexual crime to force the business owner into coughing up a total of two million pesos. Even though the victim managed to gather half of the demanded amount, the officer was unsatisfied and subsequently detained the individual at a police station for two hours in an attempt to extort the remaining funds. Both officers are now the subject of a criminal investigation, according to the local prosecutor's office. Colombia and corruption The Guardian reports that corruption within Colombia's police force is a pervasive issue. This incident seems to have provided a twisted sense of pleasure to many extortion victims, who in the past have been forced to pay bribes to uniformed officers. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Colombian police officer sparks meme fest after swallowing money he had extorted. Watch viral video here!

Two French journalists were put on trial on Monday&nbsp;in France for allegedly attempting to extort money from the king of Morocco in exchange for concealing supposedly damaging revelations about him.&nbsp;In order to stop the release of a book on the Moroccan royal family, Eric Laurent, 75, and Catherine Graciet, 48, allegedly demanded $2 million&nbsp;in 2015.

Both authors, who could be sentenced to five years in prison and fined 75,000 euros if proven guilty, have denied any wrongdoing and claim that a lawyer for the Moroccan royal family was the one who initially gave them the money.

In court on Monday, Laurent acknowledged that accepting to "let myself be caught up in this affair" was an "ethical error" and a "disaster."

Co-author Graciet said that the Moroccan envoy "seduced me with his financial offer, I took the plunge and I regret it".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-who-is-alireza-akbari-the-british-iranian-executed-by-iran-for-spying-552893">Explained: Who is Alireza Akbari the British-Iranian dual national executed by Iran for ‘spying’?</a>

In 2012, the authors had already released "The Predator King," a book about King Mohammed VI that was strongly criticised and later outlawed in Morocco.

In August 2015, Laurent visited a lawyer for the royal at the bar of a Parisian hotel and informed him that the second volume was scheduled to include potentially unpleasant disclosures for the monarchy.

Morocco claims the journalist offered to put an end to the book's initial 2016 release date in return for three million euros. After talks, he allegedly eventually lowered that sum to $2 million.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Two French journalists were put on trial on Monday in France for allegedly attempting to extort money from the king of Morocco in exchange for concealing supposedly damaging revelations about him.

Two French journalists were put on trial on Monday in France for allegedly attempting to extort money from the king of Morocco in exchange for concealing supposedly damaging revelations about him. In order to stop the release of a book on the Moroccan royal family, Eric Laurent, 75, and Catherine Graciet, 48, allegedly demanded $2 million in 2015. Both authors, who could be sentenced to five years in prison and fined 75,000 euros if proven guilty, have denied any wrongdoing and claim that a lawyer for the Moroccan royal family was the one who initially gave them the money. In court on Monday, Laurent acknowledged that accepting to "let myself be caught up in this affair" was an "ethical error" and a "disaster." Co-author Graciet said that the Moroccan envoy "seduced me with his financial offer, I took the plunge and I regret it". Also read | Explained: Who is Alireza Akbari the British-Iranian dual national executed by Iran for ‘spying’? In 2012, the authors had already released "The Predator King," a book about King Mohammed VI that was strongly criticised and later outlawed in Morocco. In August 2015, Laurent visited a lawyer for the royal at the bar of a Parisian hotel and informed him that the second volume was scheduled to include potentially unpleasant disclosures for the monarchy. Morocco claims the journalist offered to put an end to the book's initial 2016 release date in return for three million euros. After talks, he allegedly eventually lowered that sum to $2 million. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

French journalists go on trial for blackmailing the king of Morocco; could face five years in jail

A 19-year-old man from Florida was arrested for threatening to release sexually explicit photos of a politician online in exchange for cash.

Jeremy Kamperveen, a plantation worker, was arrested last month and charged with extortion and cyberstalking Florida state senator Lauren Book from the Democratic party.

Kamperveen also allegedly texted sexually explicit photos and asked for $5,000 in gift cards in exchange for destroying the photos.

At that time, the identity of the victim wasn’t revealed, until Book released a statement on Thursday saying that she was the one who received the threatening messages.

“Three weeks ago, I became the victim of ongoing sexual harassment and extortion,” Book said.

“I immediately notified law enforcement and began working closely with them to track those responsible for sending threatening and disturbing images and messages to my phone, including distorted, fake and stolen images created in an effort to intimidate, threaten, and extort me.”

Book had complained to the police on November 12, claiming a cyberstalker had sent her two photos of her exposed breasts that she "had taken of herself and only shared with a close friend.”

She is chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus and a longtime advocate for victims of child abuse and sexual abuse. She leads a group called Lauren’s Kids.

According to police, Kamperveen, who lives in Book’s district and is a registered Democrat, does not have a criminal record.

(With inputs from agencies)

A 19-year-old man from Florida was arrested for threatening to release sexually explicit photos of a politician online in exchange for cash. Jeremy Kamperveen, a plantation worker, was arrested last month and charged with extortion and cyberstalking Florida state senator Lauren Book from the Democratic party.

A 19-year-old man from Florida was arrested for threatening to release sexually explicit photos of a politician online in exchange for cash. Jeremy Kamperveen, a plantation worker, was arrested last month and charged with extortion and cyberstalking Florida state senator Lauren Book from the Democratic party. Kamperveen also allegedly texted sexually explicit photos and asked for $5,000 in gift cards in exchange for destroying the photos. At that time, the identity of the victim wasn’t revealed, until Book released a statement on Thursday saying that she was the one who received the threatening messages. “Three weeks ago, I became the victim of ongoing sexual harassment and extortion,” Book said. “I immediately notified law enforcement and began working closely with them to track those responsible for sending threatening and disturbing images and messages to my phone, including distorted, fake and stolen images created in an effort to intimidate, threaten, and extort me.” Book had complained to the police on November 12, claiming a cyberstalker had sent her two photos of her exposed breasts that she "had taken of herself and only shared with a close friend.” She is chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus and a longtime advocate for victims of child abuse and sexual abuse. She leads a group called Lauren’s Kids. According to police, Kamperveen, who lives in Book’s district and is a registered Democrat, does not have a criminal record. (With inputs from agencies)

19-year-old man arrested for threatening to release sexually explicit photos of Florida state senator

The Washington DC&nbsp;police department's server has been hacked, US&nbsp;media quoted it as saying, in an attack that news agency AP reported&nbsp;had been claimed by a Russian-speaking ransomware group.

The department said it was still assessing the extent of the unauthorised access.

"While we determine the full impact and continue to review activity, we have engaged the FBI to fully investigate this matter," the district`s Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement cited late on Monday by outlets including AP and NBC News.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="US will 'immediately' send vaccine components, medical supplies to India, says Biden">US will 'immediately' send vaccine components, medical supplies to India, says Biden</a>

The statement did not identify suspects for the attack, according to the reports. The department did not immediately respond to Reuters'&nbsp;request for comment.

AP said there was no indication of any police operations being affected, though it added that ransomware group Babuk had claimed responsibility, and to have stolen sensitive data, including on informants, that it had threatened to share with criminal gangs.

Ransomware groups hold files and networks hostage unless a payment is made.

The Department of Homeland Security's Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said last month that dealing with such groups had become his department's top priority.

The Washington DC police department's server has been hacked, US media quoted it as saying, in an attack that news agency AP reported had been claimed by a Russian-speaking ransomware group.

The Washington DC police department's server has been hacked, US media quoted it as saying, in an attack that news agency AP reported had been claimed by a Russian-speaking ransomware group. The department said it was still assessing the extent of the unauthorised access. "While we determine the full impact and continue to review activity, we have engaged the FBI to fully investigate this matter," the district`s Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement cited late on Monday by outlets including AP and NBC News. Also read: US will 'immediately' send vaccine components, medical supplies to India, says Biden The statement did not identify suspects for the attack, according to the reports. The department did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment. AP said there was no indication of any police operations being affected, though it added that ransomware group Babuk had claimed responsibility, and to have stolen sensitive data, including on informants, that it had threatened to share with criminal gangs. Ransomware groups hold files and networks hostage unless a payment is made. The Department of Homeland Security's Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said last month that dealing with such groups had become his department's top priority.

Washington DC police server hacked, Russian-speaking group claims responsibility: Reports

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-of-syria-kurds-seek-refuge-in-iraq-256251">Syrians returning to their homes</a> after being displaced by the country's eight-year civil war face arbitrary detentions, endemic corruption and inefficient public services, an activist group said Wednesday.

After a series of Russia-backed victories against jihadists and other rebels, President Bashar al-Assad's government is back in control of around 60 per cent of Syria.

Moscow and Damascus are trying to encourage Syrians displaced by the war in and outside the country to make their way home.

But the Syrian Association for Citizens' Dignity warned against returns to areas back under the control of President Bashar al-Assad's government.

"It is not safe for displaced Syrians to return to Assad-held areas," SACD warned in a report released in Istanbul, based on the testimony of 165 people living in government-held areas.

"Two-thirds of the interviewees stated that they live in constant fear of arrest or harassment from the security services and various militias that run a maze of checkpoints," it said.

"Forced conscription into Assad's forces is rampant."&nbsp;

The report, which gathered testimonies from Aleppo, Homs and Daraa provinces, said residents also have to deal with&nbsp;blackmail and demands for bribes.

"Corruption and extortion by the regime and militias permeate every aspect of life for returnees," the report said.

More than 60 per cent of respondents found health standards to be sub-standard, and an overwhelming majority complained about very poor water, electricity and municipal services.&nbsp;

Among the 5.6 million <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkeys-erdogan-rules-out-talks-with-syrian-kurdish-forces-256247">Syrians who have fled to neighbouring countries</a>, a majority live in Turkey and Lebanon, countries which have stepped up pressure on them in recent months in a bid to persuade them to go home.

The UN refugee agency UNHCR has repeatedly stressed all returns should be voluntary.

It says 198,000 Syrians went home between 2016 and August this year.

But the Damascus government has denied reports that returnees are arrested.

"I defy them to share the name of a single person who has been arrested among those who have returned to Syria," Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said earlier this month.

"We don't detain anyone. We encourage them to make safe returns to their villages."

Syrians returning to their homes after being displaced by the country's eight-year civil war face arbitrary detentions, endemic corruption and inefficient public services, an activist group said Wednesday.

Syrians returning to their homes after being displaced by the country's eight-year civil war face arbitrary detentions, endemic corruption and inefficient public services, an activist group said Wednesday. After a series of Russia-backed victories against jihadists and other rebels, President Bashar al-Assad's government is back in control of around 60 per cent of Syria. Moscow and Damascus are trying to encourage Syrians displaced by the war in and outside the country to make their way home. But the Syrian Association for Citizens' Dignity warned against returns to areas back under the control of President Bashar al-Assad's government. "It is not safe for displaced Syrians to return to Assad-held areas," SACD warned in a report released in Istanbul, based on the testimony of 165 people living in government-held areas. "Two-thirds of the interviewees stated that they live in constant fear of arrest or harassment from the security services and various militias that run a maze of checkpoints," it said. "Forced conscription into Assad's forces is rampant." The report, which gathered testimonies from Aleppo, Homs and Daraa provinces, said residents also have to deal with blackmail and demands for bribes. "Corruption and extortion by the regime and militias permeate every aspect of life for returnees," the report said. More than 60 per cent of respondents found health standards to be sub-standard, and an overwhelming majority complained about very poor water, electricity and municipal services. Among the 5.6 million Syrians who have fled to neighbouring countries, a majority live in Turkey and Lebanon, countries which have stepped up pressure on them in recent months in a bid to persuade them to go home. The UN refugee agency UNHCR has repeatedly stressed all returns should be voluntary. It says 198,000 Syrians went home between 2016 and August this year. But the Damascus government has denied reports that returnees are arrested. "I defy them to share the name of a single person who has been arrested among those who have returned to Syria," Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said earlier this month. "We don't detain anyone. We encourage them to make safe returns to their villages."

Arrests, extortion, detention: Syrians warned against heading home

Amazon CEO <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/jeff-bezoss-blue-origin-rocket-makes-10th-flight-test-192329">Jeff Bezos</a> on Thursday accused the publisher of the National Enquirer of "blackmail" after it threatened to publish intimate photographs sent by the billionaire to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/jeff-lauren-secret-romantic-texts-leaked-just-after-divorce-announcement-189627">Lauren Sanchez</a>, whom he was said to be dating.

It comes after the tabloid last month reported Bezos was in a relationship with former news anchor and entertainment reporter Lauren Sanchez -- having accessed private text messages.

In a post on blogging platform Medium Thursday, Bezos said Enquirer publisher American Media Inc (AMI), led by David Pecker, approached him with a threat to publish the photos if he did not halt an investigation into the motives behind that leak.

He added the publication demanded he and security consultant Gavin de Becker, who is leading the probe, publically state they had "no knowledge or basis for suggesting that AMI's coverage was politically motivated or influenced by political forces."

De Becker mentioned in a recent Daily Beast recent that "strong leads point to political motives." Bezos, who owns The Washington Post, is a consistent subject of criticism by US President Donald Trump.

"Rather than capitulate to extortion and blackmail, I've decided to publish exactly what they sent me, despite the personal cost and embarrassment they threaten," Bezos wrote in the post, which was entitled "No thank you, Mr Pecker" and included copies of emails from AMI.

"Be assured, no real journalists ever propose anything like what is happening here," he added.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on Thursday accused the publisher of the National Enquirer of "blackmail" after it threatened to publish intimate photographs sent by the billionaire to Lauren Sanchez, whom he was said to be dating.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos on Thursday accused the publisher of the National Enquirer of "blackmail" after it threatened to publish intimate photographs sent by the billionaire to Lauren Sanchez, whom he was said to be dating. It comes after the tabloid last month reported Bezos was in a relationship with former news anchor and entertainment reporter Lauren Sanchez -- having accessed private text messages. In a post on blogging platform Medium Thursday, Bezos said Enquirer publisher American Media Inc (AMI), led by David Pecker, approached him with a threat to publish the photos if he did not halt an investigation into the motives behind that leak. He added the publication demanded he and security consultant Gavin de Becker, who is leading the probe, publically state they had "no knowledge or basis for suggesting that AMI's coverage was politically motivated or influenced by political forces." De Becker mentioned in a recent Daily Beast recent that "strong leads point to political motives." Bezos, who owns The Washington Post, is a consistent subject of criticism by US President Donald Trump. "Rather than capitulate to extortion and blackmail, I've decided to publish exactly what they sent me, despite the personal cost and embarrassment they threaten," Bezos wrote in the post, which was entitled "No thank you, Mr Pecker" and included copies of emails from AMI. "Be assured, no real journalists ever propose anything like what is happening here," he added.

Amazon's Jeff Bezos accuses National Enquirer of 'blackmail' over intimate photos

What Amazon founder Jeff Bezos said in blog post on National Enquirer 'blackmail'

A "mafia" of recruitment agents is trapping Myanmar migrants to Thailand in debt bondage despite a 2017 law meant to fight exploitation in the kingdom's notoriously shadowy job market, activists and workers say.

Migrant labour -- much of it from Myanmar -- has propped up Thailand's economy for years, with foreigners working everywhere from factories to fishing boats, part of a global chain to produce standard supermarket items such as frozen shrimps, ready meals and pet food.

After allegations of slave labour and trafficking prompted the European Union to threaten a ban on Thai products in 2015, the kingdom's ruling junta has scrambled to clean up industries reliant on a migrant workforce.

The new law that came into force in July last year was meant to crack down on a shady recruitment process, which left desperate migrants vulnerable to corrupt brokers and exploitative companies.&nbsp;

But more than a year later, foreign workers and labour experts say a lack of enforcement and government oversight means migrants are no safer, often shelling out hundreds of dollars in inflated fees to agents and ending up in debt even before they even secure a job.

Although the legislation says Myanmar migrants should pay no more than 150,000 kyat ($100) in fees to agents, many end up paying up to $800, a colossal sum for low-paid workers from one of the most impoverished countries in the world.

"The agents took advantage of us," said 40-year-old Ma Oo, who had to pay $400 for a job in an electronics factory near Bangkok and was visibly scared to speak out.

'Real mafia'

Thai firms usually hire local agents to scout workers from neighbouring Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, although the latter is by far the largest source for labour, with more than two million migrants working in Thailand.

But in many cases, Thai agents then auction off the jobs to the highest bidder among their Myanmar peers clamouring for business in a highly-competitive market, activists say.

The Myanmar brokers -- or their sub-agents -- scour rural villages for workers and transfer all the extra costs to them, leaving migrants trapped in "debt bondage" as they struggle to pay the exorbitant fees, says migrant labour specialist Andy Hall.

Thai and Myanmar agents collaborate as "a real mafia that makes a lot of money on the backs of migrant workers", explains Aung Kyaw, president of the Migrant Workers Rights Network in Thailand, which acts as a de facto union.

The situation is even worse, he says, for the several hundred thousand Myanmar migrants working unregistered, who are even more vulnerable.

In one ongoing case, a family -- including two children -- was trafficked into the kingdom and forced into slavery on a fishing boat, beaten, unpaid and their documents confiscated.

Finger Pointing

Thai authorities insist that they maintain strict oversight of the country's agents and threaten them with stiff penalties if they do not respect the law.

If there are problems, "they may be on the side of the Burmese recruiters", Anurak Tossarat from the Ministry of Labour told AFP.

But agents in Myanmar blame their Thai peers for stoking the illegal trade and demanding kickbacks in exchange for jobs.&nbsp;

"(We) have to fight to get job offers from Thai agencies. The more money you give them, the more offers your agency gets," an agent in Yangon told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"They are bullying us."

Campaigners urge tighter scrutiny by officials in both countries and up the supply chain to the multinational buyers of Thai produce to bring an end to the exploitative practices.

Britain's biggest retailer Tesco, food giant Nestle and chocolate maker Mars -- which all source products in Thailand -- told AFP they were working with local partners to improve practices, vowing to probe any allegations of wrongdoing.

Despite the extortionate fees and the threat of debt, each month around 15,000 people from Myanmar cross into Thailand to take up jobs.

In a Yangon teashop, Kyaw Naing, 24, said he had already handed over a thick wad of cash to an agent who had promised him work.

"I had to borrow money from my family with interest but I will pay it back if my job is good," he says, adding that the agent assured him Thailand's new law means he will now be "more secure". 
&nbsp;

A "mafia" of recruitment agents is trapping Myanmar migrants to Thailand in debt bondage despite a 2017 law meant to fight exploitation in the kingdom's notoriously shadowy job market, activists and workers say.

A "mafia" of recruitment agents is trapping Myanmar migrants to Thailand in debt bondage despite a 2017 law meant to fight exploitation in the kingdom's notoriously shadowy job market, activists and workers say. Migrant labour -- much of it from Myanmar -- has propped up Thailand's economy for years, with foreigners working everywhere from factories to fishing boats, part of a global chain to produce standard supermarket items such as frozen shrimps, ready meals and pet food. After allegations of slave labour and trafficking prompted the European Union to threaten a ban on Thai products in 2015, the kingdom's ruling junta has scrambled to clean up industries reliant on a migrant workforce. The new law that came into force in July last year was meant to crack down on a shady recruitment process, which left desperate migrants vulnerable to corrupt brokers and exploitative companies. But more than a year later, foreign workers and labour experts say a lack of enforcement and government oversight means migrants are no safer, often shelling out hundreds of dollars in inflated fees to agents and ending up in debt even before they even secure a job. Although the legislation says Myanmar migrants should pay no more than 150,000 kyat ($100) in fees to agents, many end up paying up to $800, a colossal sum for low-paid workers from one of the most impoverished countries in the world. "The agents took advantage of us," said 40-year-old Ma Oo, who had to pay $400 for a job in an electronics factory near Bangkok and was visibly scared to speak out. 'Real mafia' Thai firms usually hire local agents to scout workers from neighbouring Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, although the latter is by far the largest source for labour, with more than two million migrants working in Thailand. But in many cases, Thai agents then auction off the jobs to the highest bidder among their Myanmar peers clamouring for business in a highly-competitive market, activists say. The Myanmar brokers -- or their sub-agents -- scour rural villages for workers and transfer all the extra costs to them, leaving migrants trapped in "debt bondage" as they struggle to pay the exorbitant fees, says migrant labour specialist Andy Hall. Thai and Myanmar agents collaborate as "a real mafia that makes a lot of money on the backs of migrant workers", explains Aung Kyaw, president of the Migrant Workers Rights Network in Thailand, which acts as a de facto union. The situation is even worse, he says, for the several hundred thousand Myanmar migrants working unregistered, who are even more vulnerable. In one ongoing case, a family -- including two children -- was trafficked into the kingdom and forced into slavery on a fishing boat, beaten, unpaid and their documents confiscated. Finger Pointing Thai authorities insist that they maintain strict oversight of the country's agents and threaten them with stiff penalties if they do not respect the law. If there are problems, "they may be on the side of the Burmese recruiters", Anurak Tossarat from the Ministry of Labour told AFP. But agents in Myanmar blame their Thai peers for stoking the illegal trade and demanding kickbacks in exchange for jobs. "(We) have to fight to get job offers from Thai agencies. The more money you give them, the more offers your agency gets," an agent in Yangon told AFP on condition of anonymity. "They are bullying us." Campaigners urge tighter scrutiny by officials in both countries and up the supply chain to the multinational buyers of Thai produce to bring an end to the exploitative practices. Britain's biggest retailer Tesco, food giant Nestle and chocolate maker Mars -- which all source products in Thailand -- told AFP they were working with local partners to improve practices, vowing to probe any allegations of wrongdoing. Despite the extortionate fees and the threat of debt, each month around 15,000 people from Myanmar cross into Thailand to take up jobs. In a Yangon teashop, Kyaw Naing, 24, said he had already handed over a thick wad of cash to an agent who had promised him work. "I had to borrow money from my family with interest but I will pay it back if my job is good," he says, adding that the agent assured him Thailand's new law means he will now be "more secure".

Extortion and abuse: Myanmar workers arrive debt-laden in Thailand

The founder of the company that offered world's cheapest smartphone "Freedom 251", and other two people, were arrested by the Delhi police on Sunday for allegedly attempting to extort money in lieu of settling a rape case.&nbsp

Goel, his aide and a woman conspired to extort money from the complainants after implicating them in a gang-rape case in Rajasthan's Alwar.

Earlier, the woman, involved in the conspiracy, had filed a complaint that she was gang-raped by five people in a hotel in Alwar. During the course of the investigation, it was found that the woman had been threatening the complainant and asking him for money.

Later, the police laid a trap to arrest the accused when they came to take the extortion amount.

"My relatives were being honey-trapped. First, the accused asked for Rs 11 core and then they settled the matter for Rs 2.5 crore. They took Rs 1 crore 15 lakh earlier and today they came to take Rs 30 lakh when they were arrested," said a family member of a complainant.

Earlier, Mohit Goel had spent more than three months in jail on allegations of fraud. However, on May 31, Ringing Bells Managing Director got bail from the Allahabad High Court. Ghaziabad-based Ayam Enterprises alleged that Goel ‘defrauded’ the company of Rs 16 lakh. Goel was arrested in February in Uttar Pradesh.

Charges against Goel and four other directors of Ringing Bells were framed on February 22 under Indian Penal Code’s Sections 467 (forgery of valuable security, will), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record), 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 120b (criminal conspiracy).

Ringing Bells launched Freedom 251, dubbed as the world’s cheapest smartphone at Rs 251, back in 2016. '

(With inputs from ANI)

Goel, his aide and a woman conspired to extort money from the complainants after implicating them in a gang-rape case in Rajasthan's Alwar

The founder of the company that offered world's cheapest smartphone "Freedom 251", and other two people, were arrested by the Delhi police on Sunday for allegedly attempting to extort money in lieu of settling a rape case. Goel, his aide and a woman conspired to extort money from the complainants after implicating them in a gang-rape case in Rajasthan's Alwar. Earlier, the woman, involved in the conspiracy, had filed a complaint that she was gang-raped by five people in a hotel in Alwar. During the course of the investigation, it was found that the woman had been threatening the complainant and asking him for money. Later, the police laid a trap to arrest the accused when they came to take the extortion amount. "My relatives were being honey-trapped. First, the accused asked for Rs 11 core and then they settled the matter for Rs 2.5 crore. They took Rs 1 crore 15 lakh earlier and today they came to take Rs 30 lakh when they were arrested," said a family member of a complainant. Earlier, Mohit Goel had spent more than three months in jail on allegations of fraud. However, on May 31, Ringing Bells Managing Director got bail from the Allahabad High Court. Ghaziabad-based Ayam Enterprises alleged that Goel ‘defrauded’ the company of Rs 16 lakh. Goel was arrested in February in Uttar Pradesh. Charges against Goel and four other directors of Ringing Bells were framed on February 22 under Indian Penal Code’s Sections 467 (forgery of valuable security, will), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record), 406 (punishment for criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 120b (criminal conspiracy). Ringing Bells launched Freedom 251, dubbed as the world’s cheapest smartphone at Rs 251, back in 2016. ' (With inputs from ANI)

Owner of cheapest smartphone maker 'Freedom 251' arrested in money extortion case

The Delhi Patiala House Court has again issued a production warrant against Abu Salem in the 2002 businessman extortion case.

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2002 extortion case: Delhi&#39;s Patiala House Court once again issued a production warrant against Abu Salem and directed the jail authorities to produce him before it on 27 March.
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/977483547824087040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The court&nbsp;directed jail authorities to produce him before the court on March 27.

The court had issued the same warrant in February as well.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-court-issues-production-warrant-against-abu-salem-32734">Delhi court issues Production warrant against Abu Salem</a>

Gangster Abu Salem is undergoing&nbsp;trial for allegedly demanding an amount of Rs 5 crore as protection money from Delhi businessman Ashok Gupta in 2002.&nbsp;

On January 15, he had claimed that there was not much evidence available against him in the case.&nbsp;

He also said that he was being tried in the case in violation of the order by which he was brought from Portugal to India in 2005.&nbsp;

Salem has already been given a bail in the case. However, he remains in the jail after being convicted in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case.&nbsp;

A TADA court had sentenced Abu Salem to life imprisonment in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case in September 2017.

 
&nbsp;

The court further directed jail authorities to produce him before the court on March 27

The Delhi Patiala House Court has again issued a production warrant against Abu Salem in the 2002 businessman extortion case. 2002 extortion case: Delhi's Patiala House Court once again issued a production warrant against Abu Salem and directed the jail authorities to produce him before it on 27 March. — ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2018 × The court directed jail authorities to produce him before the court on March 27. The court had issued the same warrant in February as well. Also read: Delhi court issues Production warrant against Abu Salem Gangster Abu Salem is undergoing trial for allegedly demanding an amount of Rs 5 crore as protection money from Delhi businessman Ashok Gupta in 2002. On January 15, he had claimed that there was not much evidence available against him in the case. He also said that he was being tried in the case in violation of the order by which he was brought from Portugal to India in 2005. Salem has already been given a bail in the case. However, he remains in the jail after being convicted in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case. A TADA court had sentenced Abu Salem to life imprisonment in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case in September 2017.

Delhi court again issues production warrant against Abu Salem

Four people, including a relative of a BJP MLA, have been arrested for allegedly extorting money from truckers in the Naraini police station area here.

&quot;Four people were arrested near the Kartal road barrier for extorting money from sand truckers yesterday,&quot; Superintendent of Police Shalini said today.

One of them, Srivishal, is believed to be a cousin of Naraini MLA Rajkaran Kabir, the SP said.

When contacted, the MLA alleged that the SP had been targeting people close to him and had recently got a fake case filed against his representative Nand Kishore Brahmchari.

&quot;Now, she has arrested my cousin,&quot; he said.

&quot;I will meet Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and tell him the truth,&quot; Kabir said.

The SP said rules were followed and a few BJP leaders who had come to meet her in this regard were apprised of the situation.&nbsp;

'Four people were arrested near the Kartal road barrier for extorting money from sand truckers yesterday,' Superintendent of Police Shalini said today

Four people, including a relative of a BJP MLA, have been arrested for allegedly extorting money from truckers in the Naraini police station area here. "Four people were arrested near the Kartal road barrier for extorting money from sand truckers yesterday," Superintendent of Police Shalini said today. One of them, Srivishal, is believed to be a cousin of Naraini MLA Rajkaran Kabir, the SP said. When contacted, the MLA alleged that the SP had been targeting people close to him and had recently got a fake case filed against his representative Nand Kishore Brahmchari. "Now, she has arrested my cousin," he said. "I will meet Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and tell him the truth," Kabir said. The SP said rules were followed and a few BJP leaders who had come to meet her in this regard were apprised of the situation.

4, including BJP MLA's cousin, held for extorting money from truckers

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