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Madhya Pradesh Probes Six 'Harry Boxer' Extortion Threats as STF Steps In

Police describe demands of Rs 5–15 crore over WhatsApp from masked international numbers using the Lawrence Bishnoi name.

Overview

  • State STF is coordinating with police in Maharashtra, Rajasthan and other jurisdictions after a series of threats linked to the alias 'Harry Boxer', with officials treating all six cases as genuine while probing possible copycats.
  • Indore police registered an FIR at Tukoganj after real estate businessman Sanjay Jain reported a Rs 15 crore demand from a caller using the Bishnoi gang name; investigators provided him a personal security officer.
  • In Bhopal, jeweller and real estate businessman Gaurav Jain reported WhatsApp calls and audio messages demanding Rs 10 crore, prompting a Kolar Road police case under IPC Section 351(4) and a technical evidence review.
  • Additional cases span Khargone, Ashoknagar and Mhow, including a Khargone incident where masked men were shown firing outside a trader’s home and multiple Ashoknagar businessmen reporting threats of up to Rs 10 crore.
  • Police cite a common modus operandi of WhatsApp calls, voice notes and video calls routed through international numbers with VPN or proxy masking, complicating efforts to trace origins and identify handlers.