First kidnap, then loan app: Chennai gang makes victim borrow money to rob him

CHENNAI: A four-member gang allegedly kidnapped a 21-year-old man in Chennai, assaulted him and forced him to take a loan through a mobile app after he said he had no money. The gang then withdrew cash from an ATM, took his mobile phone and fled. Four men have been arrested.

According to a report by Tamil media, the incident occurred in the early hours of October 14. The victim, Ajay, a native of Tiruvannamalai district, was returning to his hostel in Thoraipakkam on his motorcycle when he went back to Pallikaranai to look for missing headphones.

Four men travelling in an autorickshaw allegedly intercepted him and demanded money. When he said he had none, they assaulted him and took him to Chromepet. After failing to withdraw money directly from an ATM, they allegedly forced him to apply for a loan through a mobile app.

The gang withdrew the money after the loan was credited to his account. The men also took Ajay’s phone before dropping him near a lake along Radial Road. They reportedly returned his motorcycle before fleeing.

Pallikaranai police arrested Sai Abuthakir, alias Abu (18), Prakash Raj (22), Poobalan (23) and Sanjay (21). The autorickshaw allegedly used in the crime was also seized. The accused were remanded to judicial custody.