Kanpur . Gujaini police arrested eight social media influencers, including three teenagers, who broke the law to increase followers on social media. Among the arrested accused are Arvind Singh, resident of Barra Eight Kachchi Basti, Mohd. Shahid, Aman Katiyar, Lucky resident of Varun Vihar Kachchi Basti and Chandan Kumar of Jarauli Phase-II are included. Three accused are minors
It is alleged that on February 11, the accused took a teenager to a deserted place in Barra Eight area and made him call his mother and demanded a ransom of Rs 2 lakh. Frightened by the phone call, the family members immediately reached Gujaini police station. After this, the accused called again from a new number and asked to pay the first installment of Rs 5,000 on Sunday. After some time, calling himself a social media influencer, he described the entire incident as a ‘prank video’. A case was registered in Gujaini police station on the complaint of the teen’s family members.
According to DCP South Deependra Nath Choudhary, all the accused were identified and arrested on the basis of CCTV footage. During interrogation, he admitted that this fake kidnapping video was made to increase followers on various social media platforms.
Among the accused, two cases of theft are already registered against Aman Katiyar. The criminal history of other accused is being investigated. The police have sent the adult accused to jail, while the minors have been sent to a juvenile home. The police have made it clear that strict action will be taken against those who take law into their own hands to gain popularity on social media.
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