Thane Youth Kidnapped, Assaulted Over Cryptocurrency Scam

Two individuals were arrested following the kidnapping, assault, and robbery of a 19-year-old from Thane. Six accused demanded money using a fake cryptocurrency transfer screenshot. Upon refusal, they beat the victim, robbed him, and coerced him to admit fake debts on camera. Police are searching for the remaining suspects.

Two individuals were arrested on Sunday after allegedly kidnapping, assaulting, and robbing a 19-year-old resident of Thane city, a police official reported. The incident took place when a group of six individuals purportedly demanded money from the complainant, showing him a screenshot that falsely claimed the transfer of cryptocurrency.

Upon the complainant's refusal to comply, the group forcibly bundled him into their vehicle and transported him to a bridge on the Mumbra bypass. There, they violently assaulted him and stole Rs 3,000 he had on his person, the official stated, citing details from the FIR.

The named suspects, Babu Kaif, Arshad Adil Ansari, Amir Khan, Akib Arif Khan, Mohammad Adil Ansari, and Farhan Sheikh, allegedly forced the victim to record a video admitting to debts before releasing him. Arrests have been made for Arshad and Akib, while efforts are ongoing to locate the others, according to the station house officer of Naupada police station.

(With inputs from agencies.)