[Resolved]  Locanto — A collective gang blackmailing saying they're from the Cyber Crime Branch

Address:	Bangalore, Karnataka
Website:	bangalore.locanto.net

Hi,
I am a 24 year old male from Bangalore. I wouldn't want to reveal my name now. This is with regard to an AD I had posted on Locanto 3 weeks ago.
The incident I am about to share happened to me today.
I get a call today morning at 8 am from an unknown number. True-caller could not identify it with a name. I called to know who it was and a girl answered the call identified herself as Myna who just moved to Bangalore from Tumkur. She told me that she saw my AD on Locanto and which is why she would like to meet me. As embarrassing and stupid it is when I think of it now, my AD was about women seeking man for services and I had given a detailed explanation with my number.
Since this is the first time someone had contacted me, I decided to meet her and she asked me to come to bannerghatta road as she runs her own company. I was a bit skeptical when she told me this because in the previous conversation we had she told me she didn't use WhatsApp. Anyway innocent and stupid I can get, I decided to meet her. After my work at around 3 I decided to leave to bannerghatta road through her instructions over the phone. She finally told me to wait in front of Mallappuram and DTDC office located at Arekere. I was again a bit concerned and skeptical as the place was somewhere in the outskirts with a very dry commercial look. So, I asked her to come down to my car and she right away said no. I then could see her standing on the first floor of a commercial building. I parked my car and noticed a signage board hung outside which said "Dweepa Charitable Trust" I walked up and saw her standing in front of the office. She called me in and it looked like a usual realtor and developers office. She asked me to come inside and sit. I was just going through the office and what caught my attention was a board hung right in front of me which said Crime investigation branch with a few fancy images and write ups on it. I asked her what this was about. The twist to this story starts here. A few minutes later, I see a bunch of people walking in. Two ladies and three men. One of the lady who walked in asked me to stand up and sit on the other side of the table. So, I wasn't expecting this as Myna-the girl who called me said the office is empty. Everyone sits down and the lady sitting opposite me starts questioning me while the others too kept saying something. Then they all shove a badge that they're carrying with them on my face and says they are all part of the Karnataka cyber crime branch. I kinda got an idea I was in deep trouble, but I kept my calm. Then they go on instigating me with random questions like whats your name and whats your parents number and stuff like that. Then they start showing me files with photocopies of various people they have interrogated along with the printed AD which that person had posted. Then they take out a printed copy of my AD and start reading it aloud. I was being grilled by them for a good hour where the lady seemed to be playing the bad cop. She then asks me to give her my phone which was checked by all of them. They basically were trying to get my folks number to instill fear in me. I hadn't saved their numbers fortunately. Then they take note of my grandparents numbers. The lady starts writing my details into a form that she had shown me earlier. They asked me to clear my pockets and I had nothing except my phone and money. I had left my ID cards in the car. They snatch my car keys from me and sends two of them to go check my car to find my ID's and stuff. They got it and brought it. They ask me what my folks do and I was keeping unusually calm and answered each and every question without lying. Deep down I was shivering as their questions were so intriguing. After an hour, they too realized that their technique isn't working out. The lady however was being challenged by my calmness. I was pretty straight and apologized for what I did and promised them i wont do this. They tell me its for my safety and its for my own good. Then comes the scam, where the lady hints at a voucher which she took from the shelf and the man told me I need to make a donation for the blind and the poor children. They asked me how much can I give. I responded with hinting the money that was on the table. The lady got frustrated and flips through the vouchers which had 20, 000 and 50, 000 Rs. on it. I skipped a beat when I saw that. I then told them that I am earning for myself and I do not have much money with me. She then takes out the debit card that was in the wallet and asks me how much money do I have in it. I said maybe 9000. All of them look at each other. The man then asks me how much can I give and I replied with a Rs. 5000 and i could see everyone nod with a yes that's a good amount they expected.In the meantime, this lady filled up a form with all my personal details and took photocopies of my Aadhar card and Driving licence. She hands over a sheet of paper with another printed sheet and asks me to write down whatever was written on the paper and sign. They give my debit card to one of the guys and asks him to go withdraw it on behalf of me.This was when I clearly understood that all of this was a well planned execution of scamming me off my money. I slowly started observing their appearance from head to toe and I kid you not the ladies who addressed themselves as officers had tattoo's on her hand while one of the lady was wearing a pink tight with colorful socks and slippers. The man sitting beside me looked like to a typical goon with small tattoos on his hands and wearing a torn Puma shoe. The other two pretty much had a similar appearance. So after i noticed all of this, I quickly stopped them from giving away my debit card and told them that i shall withdraw it for them. I go along with the torn Puma shoe guy in an activa where we were having conversations about my loss in business and how my work is going. I withdraw it and go back to the office where they were seated. I give the amount and the lady takes and keeps it inside her bra, dont forget she shoved her badge on my face saying she is some officer when she entered. One of the guys then start explaining me the problems of this site and how people are fooled and that I should be careful and delete my AD. I without fearing kindly nodded and obliged to whatever he said. The lady too seemed at ease after she got that money. The other lady wearing the socks and slippers who i was told was an IAS officer was mocking me along with Myna sitting beside her. They however was decent enough to give back all my stuff and asked me to check if anything is missing. The main guy then picks up my laptop bag and hands it over to me and asks me to leave. While leaving all of them who was there thanks me!!! and one guy even referred to me Sir!!! I leave the premises immediately. Myna- the girl who had called me just looks at me and I look back at her blunt.

So Locanto, this was an experience which I can never forget ever in my life. The thought of my personal details along with my families numbers with them is even more frightening to me. The fact that they took photocopies of my Aadhar and my DL is something that shall never let me sleep in peace. I even was asked to write something in the name of an apology letter and if caught once again they have every right to arrest me and stuff like that.

This matter is of high concern to me and I hope Locanto understands the seriousness of this matter. I urge the Locanto team to get in touch with me as early as possible so that I can take this complaint to the cops or my close family friends who are political leaders. I come from a reputed family and I can take no chance in tainting that. I shall use every political power i have to make sure that these culprits are nabbed. I am informing the Locanto team so that you can tell me if there is an legal issue you might face because of this and to help me fight and get back what I lost. Its not the 5000 I am worried about. I will fight back against them for the mental torture they sustained upon me and I am not going to let this go that easy.

Hoping the team reverts back asap or else I am going to take this up on social networking sites.

Looking forward to your help and reply.

Thank you.