Pune Rural Police have successfully apprehended a gang that was luring victims into fraudulent friendships via social media platforms. This gang is accused of robbing young individuals from both Pune city and surrounding rural areas.

A significant incident took place on October 9, when a young man was kidnapped and robbed in the Shikrapur locality along Nagar Road. Following this incident, a case was registered at the Shikrapur police station.

Authorities arrested three individuals in connection with this case: Sushant Popat Nagare (25), Mayur Raju Gaikwad (24), both residents of Bolhegaon in Ahmednagar, and Shreyas Bhausaheb Angre (24) from Nagapur, Ahmednagar.

According to Police Superintendent Pankaj Deshmukh, the accused exploited dating apps to ensnare their victims and commit the robberies.

In addition to making the arrests, police have seized a vehicle belonging to the suspects. Investigations revealed that this gang was involved in at least three separate robbery cases. One of these cases was registered at the Lonikand police station within the Pune Police Commissionerate.

The operation was carried out under the leadership of Police Superintendent Deshmukh, along with Additional Superintendent Ramesh Chopde and Sub-Divisional Officer Prashant Dhole.

Local crime investigation officers, including Inspector Avinash Shilimkar and Shikrapur police personnel such as Deepratna Gaikwad, Amit Sidpatil, Tushar Pandhare, Janardhan Shelke, Raju Momin, Sanju Jadhav, and Sagar Dhumal, played a crucial role in the arrest.

Both Nagare and Gaikwad are reported to be habitual offenders with prior criminal records at the Tofkhana and Kotwali police stations in Nagar.

The accused allegedly used intimidation tactics to carry out their robberies, including extorting ₹80,000 from one victim. Police Sub-Inspector Mahesh Dongre is currently leading the investigation.