Hyderabad, India — In a concerning incident highlighting the risks faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in digital spaces, Hyderabad police have booked three college students for allegedly attempting to extort money from a gay man they met through a dating app. The accused have been identified as Riyan (alias Fahad), Affan (alias Jafar), and Ahmed.
According to officials, the trio allegedly created a fake profile on a gay dating application and initiated conversation with the victim. After gaining his trust, they arranged a meeting with the intention of blackmailing him. During the encounter, the suspects reportedly demanded ₹30,000, threatening him with potential consequences if he refused to pay.
Police said the victim, fearing escalation, paid ₹500 as an initial amount, after which the accused insisted he settle the remaining ₹29,500 soon. Feeling cornered and intimidated, the man approached law enforcement and filed a complaint.
A case has been registered, and teams are currently working to trace the accused students. Preliminary investigation indicates that the extortion attempt was pre-planned and that the suspects may have targeted the victim believing he would hesitate to approach the police due to the social stigma around homosexuality.
Larger Concerns Raised
Officials noted that such cases often go unreported, as victims fear being outed or judged. Advocacy groups say the incident underscores the ongoing vulnerability of LGBTQ+ individuals, especially those using dating platforms in regions where acceptance remains limited.
Cybercrime experts also warned that fake profiles, honey-traps, and blackmail attempts have become increasingly common on dating apps, particularly when the victim belongs to a socially marginalized group.
Police Response
Hyderabad police stated that they are treating the matter seriously and have urged citizens, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, to report such crimes without hesitation. Authorities reassured that identity protection and confidentiality will be maintained during investigations.
