In a major breakthrough against organized crime, the Haryana Special Task Force (STF) has reported a staggering 40% drop in extortion calls targeting businessmen and traders across the state. The decline is being attributed to a series of surgical strikes by the STF on the local support systems of gangsters operating from foreign soil, coupled with advanced digital interception techniques.
The Strategy: Choking the Support System The STF’s recent success stems from shifting its focus from low-level shooters to the “logistical backbone” of overseas kingpins.
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Targeting Virtual Numbers: STF teams worked with central agencies to block thousands of virtual numbers (VOIP) used by gangsters based in countries like Canada, USA, and Dubai to make untraceable calls.
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Mule Account Crackdown: By freezing hundreds of “mule” bank accounts used to collect extortion money via UPI and hawala, the STF has successfully choked the financial incentive for these gangs.
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Local Arrests: Over the last three months, the STF arrested dozens of “local handlers” who provided ground-level intelligence about potential targets to their overseas bosses.
Key Statistics
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Drop in Cases: Reported extortion complaints fell from an average of [X per month] to nearly 40% less in the current quarter.
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Gangsters Under the Scanner: The STF has intensified the process of issuing Red Corner Notices (RCN) and coordinated with the Ministry of Home Affairs to fast-track the extradition of key fugitives.
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Fear Factor: Officials noted that the swift arrests of shooters before they could execute “scare-firing” incidents has significantly boosted the morale of the business community.
Official Statement “We have moved from a reactive to a proactive mode. By leveraging AI-driven social media monitoring and international cooperation, we are reaching the source of these calls. The 40% drop is just the beginning; our aim is a zero-extortion environment in Haryana,” said a senior STF official.
Public Advisory The STF has urged residents and entrepreneurs not to panic if they receive a threat call. Instead, they should:
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Do not delete the call logs or WhatsApp messages.
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Immediately inform the STF or call the dedicated anti-extortion helpline.
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Avoid sharing personal financial details on public social media profiles, which often serve as a database for gangsters.
