Two Ludhiana bizmen get extortion calls from foreign numbers
Rs 5 crore demanded from jeweller, Rs 20L from baker
Two cases of extortion and death threats targeting local businessmen came to the fore in Ludhiana.
A bakery owner located on Hambran Road was asked for Rs 20 lakh while a prominent jeweller was threatened to pay Rs 5 crore. The police registered FIRs in both cases and launched investigation.
In the first incident, Jindarpal, who runs a bakery on Hambran Road, filed a complaint with the Police Division 8. He stated that on March 16, a call was received from a foreign number on the shop’s landline, which was answered by an employee. The caller identified himself as a member of the Gopi Lahoria gang and demanded ?20 lakh within two days.
The next day, more calls were received. When he ignored the same, he received audio messages on WhatsApp threatening his life. Following the complaint, the police registered a case against Gopi and are tracing the digital footprint of the calls.
The second case was reported in the jurisdiction of the PAU police station. Tushar Bhandari, owner of Dhingra Jewelers in Sarafa Bazaar, received a WhatsApp message from a foreign number on March 12, simply stating “five crore”.
Minutes later, he received two missed calls from the number, followed by an image of a person holding a pistol, with the name ‘Goldy Brar’ written on it. The jeweller informed the police that the unidentified sender demanded ?5 crore in lieu of his safety. Even after the initial police complaint, the victim received threatening audio messages. The police registered a formal case and are trying to trace the international number used in the crime.
Following the rise in such cases, the police are on high alert. According to senior officials, technical surveillance and call details are being analysed to trace call locations and identify the perpetrators. The police said they would take strict action against the suspects and ensure the safety of traders. Notably, most of the extortion cases are lying unsolved as calls are being received from foreign numbers.
