Mumbai Police Nab Dating App Scam Kingpin in Delhi
The Bangur Nagar police, in collaboration with Delhi’s Anand Vihar police, conducted an extensive search of hotels in the Shahdara area to apprehend Ankur Meena, the alleged mastermind behind a widespread dating app scam.
Dating App ScamAnkur MeenaMumbai PoliceBangur Nagar PoliceAnand Vihar PoliceReal Estate MumbaiOct 14, 2024
According to the police, Meena was arrested after an intensive manhunt led by Cyber In-charge Assistant Police Inspector Vivek Tambe and Police Sub-Inspector Rohan Patil. The operation was overseen by DCP Anand Bhoite of Zone XI and Senior Police Inspector Anil Thackeray of Bangur Nagar police station. The team camped in Delhi for several days to track down Meena, who had been frequently changing locations to avoid capture.
Meena, originally from Sushila Garden, Saboli Extension, hails from a respectable family. His father is a school principal, and his elder brother is a dentist. It appears that his family was unaware of his alleged criminal activities. Meena got involved with individuals running scams through dating apps while working in various nightclubs in Delhi. He began imitating their methods and eventually expanded his operations to Mumbai, Pune, and Thane.
The scam involved male suspects creating fake profiles on dating apps, posing as women to engage with their targets. Once they gained the trust of the victims, they would invite them to pubs or bars for a date. A female accomplice would be waiting at the venue, where she would order multiple rounds of food and drinks. When the victim became heavily intoxicated, the woman would disappear, leaving the victim with a highly inflated bill. The bar staff, allegedly colluding with the scammers, would pressure the victims into paying the full amount.
One incident reported in September involved a Goregaon resident in his mid-twenties. After downloading a dating app, he began chatting with a woman named Muskaan, who persistently invited him to a pub in Andheri (West). Once there, Muskaan placed a large order for food and drinks. The complainant noticed that the liquor had an unusual taste. After an hour, when he was heavily intoxicated, the waiter presented him with a bill for ₹40,000. Muskaan initially offered to split the bill but disappeared under the guise of taking a phone call. The complainant realized the bill was inflated, but the pub staff forced him to pay the full amount. Feeling embarrassed, he only came forward to report the incident a month later.
The police are now trying to identify the clubs in Mumbai, Pune, and Thane involved in the scam and the names of every racketeer. According to an officer, “We suspect the accused collaborate with pub staff, offering them a share of the extorted money.” Meena has not been fully cooperative, though he has disclosed the names of certain clubs in Mumbai involved in the scam.
The scam has been operating in cities like Delhi, Goa, Jaipur, Dehradun, Agra, Lucknow, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Raipur, and Nagpur. Meena has been active in the Mumbai region for the past 1.5 to two years, orchestrating an elaborate scheme targeting men. The police are determined to bring all those involved to justice and to prevent further losses for unsuspecting victims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ankur Meena and why was he arrested?
Ankur Meena is a 26-year-old man accused of masterminding a dating app scam that tricked several men into paying inflated bills at pubs and bars. He was arrested by the Bangur Nagar police in collaboration with Delhi’s Anand Vihar police after an intensive manhunt.
How did the scam work?
The scam involved male suspects creating fake profiles on dating apps, posing as women to gain the trust of their targets. They would invite the victims to pubs or bars, where a female accomplice would order multiple rounds of food and drinks. Once the victim was heavily intoxicated, the woman would disappear, leaving the victim with a highly inflated bill.
Which cities were affected by the scam?
The scam has been operating in cities like Delhi, Goa, Jaipur, Dehradun, Agra, Lucknow, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Raipur, Nagpur, Mumbai, Pune, and Thane. Meena was particularly active in the Mumbai region for the past 1.5 to two years.
How did the police apprehend Ankur Meena?
The police conducted an extensive search of hotels in the Shahdara area in Delhi, including three- and four-star properties. They received precise information about Meena’s whereabouts and successfully apprehended him from the IP Royal Hotel in Anand Vihar.
What is the current status of the investigation?
The police are now trying to identify the clubs in Mumbai, Pune, and Thane involved in the scam and the names of every racketeer. They suspect that the accused were collaborating with pub staff, offering them a share of the extorted money. Meena has not been fully cooperative but has disclosed the names of certain clubs in Mumbai involved in the scam.
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