Cyber Crime: Delhi Police arrests man for blackmailing, extorting money from women on dating app, "Bumble"

New Delhi [India], January 4 (ANI): A complaint filed on December 13 was received at PS Cyber West, where the complainant, a second-year Delhi University student, reported being blackmailed after sharing private photographs and videos with a person she met on an online dating platform, Bumble. The accused had introduced himself as a US-based freelance model visiting India for work, according to an official statement.

The student stated that their online friendship began in early January 2024, and they started chatting on social media platforms. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) West, Vichitra Veer, said, “During this friendship, the victim shared her private photographs and videos through Snapchat and WhatsApp with the accused. Despite her requests to meet in person, the accused refused, citing various excuses. Later, he sent one of her private videos back to her on WhatsApp, demanding money and threatening to leak or sell her explicit content if she did not comply.”

Under the pressure of the threats, the victim initially made a small payment, explaining she was a student with limited financial means. However, the accused continued to demand money, causing the victim immense distress. Ultimately, she informed her family about the situation and lodged a cyber complaint.

Following the complaint, a case was immediately registered at PS Cyber West, and an investigation was initiated. The accused was identified as 23-year-old Tushar Bisht, son of Ganesh Singh Bisht, a resident of Shakarpur, Delhi. A police raid in the Shakarpur area led to his arrest.

DCP West, Vichitra Veer, revealed, “During interrogation, the accused admitted to using a virtual international mobile number obtained through an application for the past two years. He used this number to register on platforms like Bumble and Snapchat, projecting himself as a US-based freelance model. His profile included photos of a Brazilian model to appear authentic. On these platforms, he connected with girls aged 18 to 30, befriending them and requesting explicit photos and videos.”

The accused saved the explicit content using screen recording software and initially engaged in such activities for amusement. Over time, he began blackmailing victims to extort money. If the victims refused, he would threaten to upload their content on social media or sell it online.

Further, as per officials, The accused admitted to communicating with hundreds of girls and storing their private photos and videos on his phone. He extorted money from several victims using these methods.”

Police officials also revealed that he had interacted with over 500 girls on Bumble and 200 on Snapchat and WhatsApp, possessing intimate photos and videos of many.

The police disclosed that the accused, Tushar Bisht, is from a middle-class family. His father is a private driver, his mother is a homemaker, and his sister works in Gurugram. Bisht has a BBA degree and has been employed as a technical recruiter at a Noida-based private company for the last three years. His motives for engaging in these activities were attributed to greed and a desire to romantically interact with young women. (ANI)