Two college students, Rajveer Jagatsingh Khant and Ganesh R Vanparthi, have been charged by the Mumbai Crime Branch for sending threatening emails to Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, demanding a large sum of money. The students, arrested in November 2023, utilized virtual private networks and secure email services to conceal their identities and send multiple emails demanding crores of rupees.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh each for information leading to the arrest of Canada-based terrorist Goldy Brar and another accused wanted in an extortion and firing case in Chandigarh. The reward comes as part of the agency’s ongoing investigation into the incident that took place in March 2023, where the accused allegedly fired at a businessman’s house as part of an extortion attempt.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at nine locations in Punjab on Thursday, targeting associates of designated terrorist Goldy Brar in connection with an extortion and firing case. The raids come after Brar was charged in the murder of a Karni Sena chief. The NIA has urged the public to provide information about Brar and his gang, offering telephone numbers for contact and promising to keep informers’ identities confidential.
Underworld don Chhota Rajan has been convicted in the murder of hotelier Jaya Shetty in 2001. A special court in Mumbai found Rajan guilty under the Indian Penal Code provisions for murder. The court is expected to pronounce the quantum of punishment later in the day. Shetty, who owned several hotels and restaurants in Mumbai, was facing extortion threats from Rajan’s gang. Despite police protection, he was shot dead in his hotel by two gang members in 2001. Rajan is also accused in approximately 70 other cases in Maharashtra, including the high-profile 2011 murder of journalist J Dey.
The ongoing Manhattan criminal trial of former President Donald Trump took a bizarre turn on Tuesday when infamous ex-porn star Stormy Daniels took the witness stand. Her salacious testimony, which included graphic details of her alleged encounter with Trump 18 years ago, was irrelevant to the case and appeared to be motivated by financial gain and a desire to damage Trump’s reputation. Daniels’ inconsistent statements and credibility issues further undermined the prosecution’s attempt to paint Trump as a criminal.
Two school students in Bengaluru have been apprehended for allegedly extorting 700 grams of gold ornaments worth 35 lakhs from a classmate by blackmailing him over his online gaming addiction. The police have also arrested four adults in connection with the case. The incident highlights the potential dangers of online gaming addiction and the importance of parental supervision. The police have urged the public to remain cautious about their children’s company and online activities.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a First Information Report (FIR) to investigate allegations of extortion, land grab, and sexual assault in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, following an order from the Calcutta High Court. The FIR names five accused individuals, while others remain unknown at this time. The allegations stem from protests led by women against local politician Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates, who have been accused of sexual misconduct and land-grabbing. Shahjahan was arrested in February and remains in custody.
Brett Andrew Nelson was arrested in Gunnison on February 15, 2023, for various felony counts of criminal extortion, retaliation against a judge, and attempt to influence a public servant, as well as stalking, forgery, and other charges. In April 2022, a statewide grand jury found Nelson guilty of 20 out of 24 charges for committing extortion and threatening judges, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, attorneys, and citizens in Gunnison, Montrose, and Alamosa Counties over two years.
The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) continues to investigate a rash of extortion incidents targeting South Asian home builders in the city, despite a recent decline in cases. The probe, known as Project Gaslight, involves 34 alleged incidents carried out by local suspects directed by someone in India. Extortion attempts have involved WhatsApp messages demanding large sums of money, leading to arson attacks on new or under-construction homes. EPS has arrested and charged several individuals in connection with the extortion series, and a series of surveillance videos have been released to identify additional suspects.
Edmonton police have released several surveillance videos of suspects involved in Project Gaslight, an extortion series targeting members of the South Asian community. The videos show suspects purchasing gas cans, breaking into homes, and starting fires. Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the individuals in the videos and providing any information about their activities.
