HYDERABAD: Police arrested six members of a gang that targeted men through a same-sex dating application and robbed them after luring them to isolated locations in Keesara.
One accused remains on the run.
Keesara police cracked the case and produced the accused before media on Saturday. Malkajgiri Deputy Commissioner of Police Sridhar, along with Jawaharnagar Assistant Commissioner of Police Chakrapani and Keesara Inspector Anjaneyulu, disclosed the details.
Gang targets victims through fake profiles
The accused Kusuma Karthik, Ramaraja alias Kushal, Babloo Singh, Kandula Sai Teja, Gandla Shravan, Macharla Pawan Kalyan and Chennakesavula Pawan Kalyan formed a gang and planned robberies after developing habits of substance abuse and spending.
They created fake profiles on the Grindr application and befriended new users. After gaining trust over a few days, they proposed in-person meetings.
Victims lured, attacked, robbed
Once victims agreed, they were asked to come to isolated areas on the outskirts. One gang member would pick them up in a car and take them to deserted locations.
While the victims were in a compromising situation, other gang members would arrive, record videos and threaten them. The gang then assaulted the victims and robbed them of cash and gold ornaments before fleeing.
Police said the accused were already involved in cases registered in Warangal, Malkajgiri and Cyberabad commissionerates.
Case cracked in four days
On April 6, the gang picked up a man near Rampally and took him to Bacharam, where they attacked him and snatched a gold chain.
Police registered a case and solved it within four days. Babloo Singh is absconding.