Teacher extorted out of Rs 45,000 in dating app trap; two arrested

Surat

Surat: A 26-year-old coaching class teacher was allegedly lured through a gay dating app and robbed of Rs 45,000 in the Varachha police station area.

Police arrested two accused, including a 16-year-old minor, while two others remain absconding.

According to police, the victim, who teaches at a coaching institute in Varachha, was active on the dating app Grindr. He received a request from a user identifying himself as “B/21.” After initial conversations, they agreed to meet at Podar Arcade.

When they met, the accused allegedly suggested shifting to a quieter location like a garden or a café. The victim agreed, following which the minor led him to an under-construction building in the Punagam area.

Police said both later went to the third floor of the building, where the minor asked the victim to wait while he went to the washroom. Soon after, three unidentified persons arrived at the spot and joined the minor in assaulting the victim.

The accused allegedly threatened the victim and demanded money, warning him of exposure related to the dating app encounter. One of them reportedly threatened him with an iron pipe.

The assailants then snatched his mobile phone and transferred Rs 15,000 across multiple bank accounts. They also allegedly siphoned off an additional Rs 30,000 through the victim's Google Pay account.

The group later escorted the victim downstairs and warned him against reporting the incident, threatening him with dire consequences before fleeing on two vehicles.

Following the incident, the victim informed his family, who advised him to approach the police. An FIR was registered at Varachha police station on Sunday.

Police arrested the minor who allegedly initiated the contact on the app and another accused, identified as Vijay Makwana, 20, both of whom are stated to be students. Efforts are on to trace the remaining two accused involved in the offence.