- विज्ञापन -
Mumbai: The Amboli Police in Mumbai have dismantled an online sex racket based in Andheri, arresting 28-year-old Sarfaraz alias Mohammad Gulab Phoolbabu Sheikh from Versova. During the operation, they rescued a 30-year-old woman who was believed to have been forced into prostitution.
Police investigations revealed that Sarfaraz was using mobile phones and messaging platforms like WhatsApp to run the illegal operation, offering women to clients at various hotels, lodges, and guest houses across Mumbai based on demand. The police launched an undercover operation after receiving a tip-off. A decoy customer contacted Sarfaraz, who then sent photos of women via WhatsApp. Once a woman was selected, the financial arrangements were finalized over the phone.
Sarfaraz was instructed to bring the woman to a hotel on Veera Desai Road in Andheri. When he arrived at the hotel with the woman and started negotiating with the fake client, police officers, who were stationed nearby, intercepted and detained him for questioning.
During initial questioning, the rescued woman claimed that Sarfaraz had brought her to the hotel for prostitution. She was immediately medically examined and later transferred to a private rescue and rehabilitation center in Kandivali for further recovery.
A case has been registered against Sarfaraz under Section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant sections of the Prevention of Immoral Trafficking Act (PITA). Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the extent of the operation and identify other individuals involved, including potential customers and trafficked women. More arrests are expected as the police interrogate Sarfaraz about his network and operational details.
