In a shocking incident, a 62-year-old share broker residing in Malad has allegedly received a death threat and a demand for ₹5 crore extortion from an unidentified person calling from abroad. The incident has triggered panic among businessmen and traders in the city, especially in the wake of recent similar threats issued in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
According to police sources, the complainant is a businessman who lives with his family in the Malad area and works as a share broker. On February 22, while he was at home, he received a WhatsApp message around 7 pm from an unknown number demanding ₹5 crore. The sender allegedly threatened to kill him and his family members if the money was not paid.
Initially, the complainant ignored the message. However, two days later, on February 24, his son also received a similar threatening WhatsApp message from an unidentified individual. The sender once again demanded ₹5 crore and warned of dire consequences, including death threats to the family and relatives, if the amount was not arranged.
The family saved the threatening messages and voice recordings received via WhatsApp. Within a span of two days, two unidentified individuals allegedly issued extortion demands and death threats to both the complainant and his son.
Frightened by the repeated threats, the elderly share broker approached Malad Police and submitted the WhatsApp messages and voice recordings as evidence. Based on his statement, the police have registered an FIR against an unknown person under charges of extortion and criminal intimidation.
Senior police officials have taken serious note of the matter and directed both Malad Police and the Crime Branch to conduct a parallel investigation into the case.
In recent days, several businessmen and traders in Mumbai have received extortion threats via international calls. Earlier, three businessmen from Vile Parle, Borivali, and Andheri were threatened in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Following those complaints, Vile Parle and Borivali Police had arrested a few accused persons, who later confessed to using Bishnoi’s name to extort money.
With the latest threat to the Malad-based share broker originating from overseas, fear has gripped the city’s business community once again. Police officials have assured strict action and intensified efforts to trace the caller.