PANAJI:
The Crime Branch and Cyber Crime Cell of Goa Police on Friday claimed that a letter alleging extortion of club and restaurant owners is fake. The mobile number through which a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging extortion has been traced to Vietnam.
Superintendent of Police (Cyber Crime) Nidhin Valsan said that an inquiry found various inconsistencies.
"Pursuant to a letter that was circulated via social media regarding allegations of extortion of club and restaurant owners from Goa by collection agent and goons, an inquiry was conducted by Crime Branch, Goa. It was found that there were no names of complainants in the complaint letter other than seven illegible signatures," he said in a statement released to journalists on Friday.
An inquiry was initiated following directions from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant after the complaint letter was circulated to different numbers via WhatsApp number +84 334364121. The number is traced to Vietnam and Cyber Police is investigating the origin of the complaint, the officer said.
"The names could not be made out in the complaint. Separately, two persons -- Gopal Kucchadkar gave a complaint to Porvorim Police Station and Sahil Adwalpalkar gave complaint to Panaji Police Station -- in which they stated that a fake letter was sent... the letter was a malicious act to defame Goa, the Goa Government and CM," he added.
