Madhapur police bust online dating scam, seven arrested
Hyderabad: Madhapur police have arrested seven individuals involved in an online dating scam on Wednesday. The police seized eight mobile phones and two vehicles—a Thar (DL 12 CX 0147) and a KIA (DL 14 CH 0147)—totaling approximately Rs. 40 lakhs.
The accused have been identified as Aakash Kumar, Suraj Kumar, Akshat Narula, Tarun, Shiv Raj Nayak, Rohith Kumar, and Cherkupally Sai Kumar, were apprehended in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
According to police, the scam involved luring victims through online dating apps by creating profiles of attractive women. Once the victims were engaged in conversation, they were invited to MOSH Pub in Madhapur, where they were pressured into purchasing expensive food and beverages. The hefty bills were then split among the pub owner, the organizers, and the women, said the police.
Operating under the guise of a club named DEVILS NIGHT CLUB in Delhi, the gang’s modus operandi included recruiting women to register on dating apps and attract customers. However, a gang member would actually be chatting with the victims. The unsuspecting customers were then invited to the pub, where they were tricked into spending large sums of money. Over 45 days, primarily on weekends, the gang duped 50-60 customers, accumulating Rs. 30 lakhs, reported the police.
Police said that the gang used apps like Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble to ensnare their victims. Their operation spanned across Delhi, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, with plans to extend to Nagpur.
A case has been registered under Cr. No: 633/2024, U/Sec: 406, 419, 420 IPC, at Madhapur Police Station, Cyberabad.
CM Revanth Reddy reorganizes disaster management for Greater Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has decided to assign critical responsibilities to the Disaster Management Department within Greater Hyderabad. He has directed officials to implement structural changes and redistribute responsibilities accordingly. In a review meeting at the Secretariat on Monday evening, the Chief Minister discussed the reorganization with officials from Municipal Administration, HMDA, and Musi Development.
Expansion of disaster management responsibilities
Recognizing the geographic expansion of Hyderabad, the Chief Minister ordered the Disaster Management Department to extend its jurisdiction to the Outer Ring Road. He suggested including GHMC, 27 surrounding municipalities and corporations, and 33 gram panchayats within its service area. The department will be renamed the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring Protection (HYDRA). The Chief Minister proposed appointing a DIG-level officer as the director and SP-level officers as additional directors. He also recommended special teams from GHMC, HMDA, the Water Board, city traffic, and other departments to join this new division.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for the Disaster Management Department to offer continuous services to city residents, not just during floods or emergencies. HYDRA should actively address all issues faced by Hyderabad’s citizens, including preserving the city’s tanks and ponds, protecting government properties from encroachments, and managing hoardings and flex banners. Additionally, HYDRA will oversee water pipelines, electricity supply lines, drainage, flood management, and traffic control.
Focus on heritage and infrastructure projects
Chief Minister Reddy directed the acceleration of the Musi River Development Project, aiming to elevate Hyderabad’s international reputation. He stressed the importance of working towards the government’s goal of transforming this project into a landmark. He also ordered officials to take necessary actions to restore historical buildings and structures within the city. The GHMC presented a PowerPoint on various heritage sites, such as the City Library, Charminar Ayurvedic Hospital, and Nizamia Observatory etc. The Chief Minister encouraged exploring ways to develop these sites for tourism and integrating feasible ones into the Musi River Development Project.
The Chief Minister instructed Chief Secretary Shantikumar to draft a comprehensive reorganization plan, including staffing, duties, and budget allocations for HYDRA. He also emphasized identifying key areas where the Disaster Management Department can enhance its operations.
The meeting included Chief Secretary Shantikumar, Principal Secretary of Municipal Administration and Urban Development Danakishore, GHMC Commissioner Amrapali, GHMC Vigilance Disaster Management Commissioner A.V. Ranganath, and Hyderabad Water Board MD Ashok Reddy.
