In a bizarre twist of fate, a 27-year-old unemployed shoe salesman from Delhi, once duped by a fake “playboy job” ad, has now been arrested for running the same gigolo scam that once targeted him. The Central District Cyber Police busted the racket operating out of Nangloi, arresting two men—Himanshu (25) and Vishal (19)—who allegedly lured job-seeking men with promises of high-paying escort gigs.
Duped, Then Turned to Crime
The scam came to light after the original victim, based in Inderlok, filed a complaint via the National Cyber Crime Portal. He had lost ₹27,135 to bogus charges like registration fees, hotel bookings, and massage kits. Ironically, Himanshu, the main accused, confessed that he had fallen prey to the same scam two years ago and decided to replicate it to make “easy money”.
How the Racket Worked
The duo posted fake job listings on free classifieds websites, promising lucrative “playboy” assignments. Victims were asked to pay multiple fees under various pretexts, but no job ever materialized. Police recovered four mobile phones, two SIM cards, and evidence of fake identities used to procure them.
Targeting Male Victims
Investigators revealed the accused deliberately targeted men, assuming they’d be too embarrassed to report the fraud. Their assumption nearly worked—until the Inderlok victim came forward, prompting a technical surveillance operation that led to their arrest.
A Wake-Up Call for Job Seekers
The case underscores the growing threat of online job scams, especially those exploiting social stigma and desperation. Authorities urge job seekers to verify listings and avoid offers that demand upfront payments.
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