He selected his targets from feedback forms at the mall where he used to work

The Delhi Police Crime Branch have arrested an alleged extortionist who pretended to be an underworld don named Rizwan Khan. The accused had allegedly made ransom demands for a total of ₹5 crore from several businessmen in Delhi and other parts of the country.

Pranay Tiwari, a 27-year-old resident of Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, was arrested from a place near his hometown on Monday. According to the police, he selected his targets based on details shared by the victims in feedback forms during their visits to a Vasant Kunj-based mall, where he worked.

Many cases

The accused shifted base to the Capital in 2013 and started working in the mall. His job was to gather personal details of customers by asking them to fill feedback forms.

“A west Delhi-based businessman complained on August 28 that he had received a call from someone who introduced himself as underworld don Rizwan Khan and demanded ₹1 crore from him. During preliminary enquiry, the police noticed that many other businessmen in Delhi as well as other parts of the country had received extortion calls from the same mobile number,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (crime) Rajesh Deo.

Mr. Deo added that with help of technical surveillance, the location of the suspect was traced to Madhya Pradesh. A trap was laid by the police and Pranay was arrested.

“His familiarity with details of the victims made them believe that someone was keeping a watch over them. When he said he was an underworld don who had detailed information, they believed him,” said another policeman.