19-Year-Old Sexually Exploiting Around 180 Minor Girls, Arrested

India: Police in Amravati district have arrested a 19-year-old man, Mohammad Ayaz alias Tanveer, a resident of Paratwada, for allegedly luring around 180 girls, many of them minors from schools, colleges, and coaching centres, through social media “love traps,” sexually exploiting them, and recording over 350 obscene videos that were used for blackmail and extortion.

According to investigators, the accused befriended victims primarily via WhatsApp and Snapchat, built romantic trust, and then coerced them into intimate acts. Many girls were reportedly taken to Mumbai and Pune, where the explicit videos were filmed without consent. These recordings were allegedly circulated online or used to threaten victims, with some reports indicating demands for money or further favours. Several victims are underage, attracting serious charges including provisions under the POCSO Act.

The case came to light after Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Anil Bonde submitted a memorandum to Amravati Rural Superintendent of Police Vishal Anand, prompting swift police action. Ayaz was arrested and produced before a local court, which remanded him to seven days of police custody until April 21. His mobile phone and other devices have been seized, and forensic experts are analysing data, including possibly deleted content, to determine the full extent of the alleged crimes.

Police have appealed to any additional victims or their families to come forward confidentially, assuring protection of privacy and dignity. A second person, identified as Uzair Khan, has also been arrested for allegedly downloading and circulating some of the videos.

Authorities have warned the public against sharing the obscene material, stating that doing so could invite legal action. The case highlights serious concerns over online grooming of minors, misuse of social media platforms, and the safety of young girls in the digital era.