Gang extorts money from gay men, held

The accused were identified as Manthiramurthy (32), Mariappan (30), Muthuramalingam (32) and Ilayaraja (29) of Seithunganallur in Thoothukudi district. All were remanded in judicial custody.

The modus operandi opted by the gang was similar to fake escort service. Police said that Manthiramurthy, who was the face of the gang, would post on his Facebook page and other social media platforms, that he could arrange sexual services for gay men. Believing him, some men approached him.

After striking up a conversation with them online, Manthiramurthy would book a room in a hotel in Saligramam or Virugambakkam area. Then, he would book another room in the same hotel, where the other gang members would stay. When the victim was in a compromising position with him, Manthiramurthy would alert his gang members over phone. A few minutes later, they would barge into the room and start clicking photos. But Manthiramurthy too would act like a victim to avoid suspicion.

“Following this, the gang would threaten to leak the photos if they did not part with their valuables including cash and jewels. And later, they would divide the stolen items,” said police. 

The gang calculated that the victims would not approach the police with a complaint, fearing that their sexual orientation, still a matter of stigma, would be exposed. However, the information about such a gang in the neighbourhood who preyed on gay men reached the local police. Following a tip off, the Virugambakkam police raided a hotel and arrested the suspects. A victim was also rescued from the spot. 

Police said preliminary inquiry revealed that the gang had cheated at least seven persons in the same manner so far, and added that a hunt has been launched for other gang members.