Social Media Extortion Racket Busted in Mumbai; Accused Caught Accepting Rs 2 Lakh

The accused, identified as Randeep Singh Gujral, 40, operated an Instagram account named “Afternoon Times,” which has approximately 10,000 followers. According to police, he targeted a dairy products businessman from Mulund and allegedly created a fake video portraying the shop’s products as substandard. He then threatened to circulate the video on social media in an attempt to damage the businessman’s reputation.

According to the complaint filed by the businessman, the accused had already collected Rs 50,000 through an online transaction. He subsequently demanded an additional Rs 2 lakh in cash. Following repeated threats and pressure, the victim approached the Crime Branch and lodged a formal complaint.

Acting on the complaint, teams from the Crime Branch and the Crime Intelligence Unit laid a trap near the Sonapur Signal area in Mulund. On June 14, 2026, officials caught the accused red-handed while allegedly receiving the extortion amount.

Police said Randeep Singh Gujral is a resident of the Nirmal Lifestyle complex in Mulund and is engaged in the real estate business. Investigators are conducting a detailed examination of his bank accounts, social media activities, and financial transactions. Authorities are also attempting to determine how many other business owners may have been targeted through similar methods and whether additional individuals were involved in the operation.

The accused was produced before the Fort Court, which remanded him to police custody until June 18, 2026. A case has been registered at Mulund Police Station under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Senior Crime Branch official Deputy Commissioner of Police Raj Tilak Roshan said that strict action is being taken against groups that misuse social media platforms to extort money. He also urged citizens to remain vigilant against fraudulent online accounts and similar digital threats.

The case has highlighted the growing misuse of social media platforms for criminal activities and has raised concerns about online reputation-based extortion targeting businesses. Investigators continue to probe the extent of the network and identify any additional victims or accomplices connected to the operation.