Criminals using Zipnet to dupe victims: Delhi Police suggests removing phone numbers from database to curb misuse

ZIPNET was envisioned as a tool for inter-state police coordination, especially to track missing persons and pinpoint proclaimed offenders.

“The database intends to essentially put the details of the complainant so that if there is a development in the case, they can be contacted. The complainants can also access it to get details that may not have been shared with them. Recently, however, people have started using the details to call up complainants and extort them on the pretext of providing information… details in the section for missing persons and stolen vehicles are published in the form of a list and anyone can browse through it,” the police officer said.

This is not the first time that such a case has come forth.

On August 15, the police arrested a 27-year-old man, Raj Kumar, who allegedly stole vehicles.

When details would be uploaded on ZIPNET, he would contact the complainant on video call, show them the vehicle and seek money in exchange for providing the location, police said. Once the money was transferred, he would stop taking calls.

He was allegedly involved in 16 cases in and around West Delhi and Dwarka.

According to police, the accused told them during investigation that he found out about ZIPNET when he was arrested in connection with a vehicle theft case and was lodged in Tihar Jail.

“There he came in contact with a man called Mohit, who told him about people using ZIPNET to dupe complainants. He then went through the database and used the details available to contact people… he induced them to pay Rs 5,000 through a payments app in exchange for the location of the vehicle. He cheated several people through this modus operandi,” said DCP (Dwarka) Harsh Vardhan.