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Honey-Trapping Scam Targets Men In Mumbai Through Fake Escort Services; Check How To Stay Safe

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After dating app scams, online escort services have become as a new way of duping men in Mumbai. These digital flesh trade dens, masquerading as legitimate websites, promise foreign escorts and vanish after receiving payments. One such website, posing as a ‘Web Blog’, lures victims by advertising women from countries like Africa, Australia, Japan, and Russia.

A prominent example is Massage Republic, a site claiming to provide commentaries on politics and human trafficking. However, it redirects visitors to a page offering escort services in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Bangalore, and even international locations like Dubai, Bangkok, and Nairobi.

One of the people who was recently cheated after booking an online escort service from the website conveyed his ordeal to The Free Press Journal. He booked a Nigerian escort for Rs8,000 through the site. Directed to a hotel in Marol Naka, Andheri (E), he paid Rs2,000 upfront to the hotel manager. Inside the room, he was told to pay the remaining amount before the woman arrived. However, the woman who eventually showed up was not the one he had booked.

“When I confronted the woman, she demanded extra money to arrange for the same woman I had asked for. Sensing something was amiss, he refused, asking for a refund. The woman excused herself, claiming the money had to be recovered from the initial recipient, who had already disappeared. The hotel manager denied any involvement,” the man said on condition of anonymity.

The man claimed to have contacted the police but alleged that the police did not entertain his verbal complaint. However, he said that he did not want to be an official complainant fearing public humiliation and hardships in personal life. The Free Press Journal got connected with another man, a local from Mumbai, who had also booked services from a Nigerian national and was cheated in the same way. Notably, both the incidents happened in the same hotel located in Marol Naka of Andheri (E).

However, when one of the victims reached out to the Human Rights Commission, an NGO working on cases of human rights violations, the NGO’s Maharashtra vice president Roshan Pathak reached out to multiple women offering escort services through the website. He found out that all the Nigerian women denied to meet at any other place and pressed on meeting at the same hotel in Marol Naka where both the men were scammed.

“Normally, nobody would understand that there is an escort service website behind this blog. The women would reply on WhatsApp only after we provided them with a code received from the website. Although all the women demanded different prices ranging from Rs10,000 to Rs12,000, they would ultimately agree to Rs8,000 after negotiations. Similarly, Russian and Japanese women would call at their places in Bandra and Khar. This seems to be a new easy way of scamming men since they are vulnerable and do not speak out about it fearing shame,” said Pathak.

Modus Operandi…

Scammers create websites posing as blogs but secretly offering escort services

They advertise escorts of various nationalities (Nigerian, Russian, Japanese)

Victims are directed to specific hotels, like one in Marol Naka, Andheri (E)

Victims pay an upfront fee to hotel staff or directly to the scammers

A different woman shows up, demanding additional money to bring the promised escort

Excuses are made, and the initial contact disappears with the money

Victims hesitate to report the scam due to fear of social embarrassment

Interaction occurs via WhatsApp, accessible only through codes from the website

Maharashtra

Mumbai Braces For Heavy Rains, Transport Takes Hit In City; Flights, Roadways, Trains Face Delay

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Mumbai: Heavy rains along gusty winds and overcast skies have taken over the city of Mumbai and the suburbs around. The daily commuters for work, college, schools are facing immense difficulty due to waterlogging and delays in transport. IMD has further asserted alert for the next 3 hours in Mumbai, advised against travelling unless it is important to.

Mumbai airport, Indigo and SpiceJet have issued travel advisory to the commuters as flights to and connecting from Mumbai are facing delays. The airport and airlines have asked commuters to stay updated with the latest status of their flights.

Mumbai Braces Heavy Rains

Heavy rainfall affected parts of Mumbai on July 21, particularly South Mumbai and the Western suburbs, leading to waterlogged areas like Marine Drive and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Visuals depicted flooding on roads, prompting many to seek shelter. Andheri and Kurla also reported significant waterlogging, affecting the railway station, and the Andheri subway was closed to traffic due to persistent rain.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed that rain would continue for several hours, with possible thunderstorms, lightning, and wind speeds of 30-40 km/h. Initially, a yellow alert was issued for moderate to heavy rainfall, later upgraded to an orange alert for the following hours.

Expected temperatures ranged from 25°C to 31°C with partly cloudy skies, prompting commuters to carry umbrellas and exercise caution on slippery roads. The weather is anticipated to last the entire week.

Mumbai Local Trains Face Delay

Public transport faced major disruptions in the morning, with local trains on the harbour line running 20-25 minutes late due to waterlogged conditions along with Western and Central line face 10-15 minute delay according to M-Indicator app news.

An occurrence of rainwater seeping through AC ducts in Mumbai local trains has emerged. The images of the event have been spreading rapidly across social media

Waterlogging On Roads Causing Traffic

The heavy rains along with clogged up drains led to heavy waterlogging in the city as well as the suburbs. Mumbai traffic police issued multiple traffic advisories due to the traffic caused in areas.

Visuals From Andheri

Visuals from Andheri are making turns on social media as residents express distress over BMC’s lack of attention to the road that always ends up clogging during rains.

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Maharashtra

Mumbai Rains: Heavy Showers Lash City, Andheri Subway Closed For Traffic After Waterlogging Reported In Suburbs; Downpour To Intensify This Week, Says IMD 

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Mumbai: Heavy rainfall drenched parts of Mumbai on Monday, July 21, with South Mumbai and Western suburbs witnessing heavy downpours. Areas like Marine Drive and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus were soaked due to overnight rainfall, as visuals showed partially waterlogged roads and people taking refuge under shelters.

Visuals from Andheri and Kurla show waterlogging in several parts and the railway station. Andheri subway was reported closed for traffic after incessant rainfall. LBS Road in Kurla, DP Road in Powai and Saki Naka also reported traffic snarls due to waterlogging.

Heavy Rains Alert Issued For The City

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the rain was likely to persist for at least a few hours, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 km/h. A yellow alert was initially issued for the city, signalling the likelihood of moderate to heavy rainfall. However, the weather department issued a nowcast warning upgrading it to orange alert for next few hours.

The weather department stated that temperatures would hover between 25°C and 31°C, with partly cloudy skies expected. Commuters were advised to carry umbrellas and remain cautious while heading out, especially as water accumulation and slippery roads could pose hazards during peak traffic hours.

Disruption Reported Due To Heavy Rains

Commuters reported major disruption while using the city’s public transportation today in the morning. Local trains on the harbour line were running 20-25 minutes late, as reported by commuters. Traffic disruption was reported in western and central suburbs due to waterlogging in several parts.

IndiGo Airline Issues Statement

IndiGo Airlines issued a statement alerting its passengers of the adverse weather conditions in the city. “Heavy rain showers have settled in over Mumbai, and the roads are feeling the impact. Several routes towards the airport are seeing slow-moving traffic due to steady downpour. If you are flying today, please plan ahead, leave a little earlier, and check your flight status on our app or website before stepping out,” the statement read.

“We understand these conditions can affect your journey. Our teams are ready to support you on the ground and are working to keep operations running as steadily as possible. Thank you for your understanding,” it further read.

IMD Warns Of Heavy Rains This Week

The downpour comes as part of the ongoing monsoon activity, which is expected to continue intensifying over the week. As the city moves deeper into the monsoon season, the IMD forecast indicates the likelihood of more rain throughout the week. On Tuesday, moderate rainfall and overcast skies are expected, along with occasional thunderstorms. The overall temperature will remain mild, although humidity levels may remain steady.

By Wednesday, rainfall activity is projected to increase, with a fresh yellow alert issued for the day. Heavier showers and widespread cloud cover are expected to dominate the city’s weather. The pattern is likely to persist into Thursday, with several parts of Mumbai potentially experiencing intense rainfall and continuous overcast conditions.

No Severe Weather Alert For Weekend

On Friday, the rainfall may ease slightly, though light to moderate rain remains in the forecast. Temperatures are expected to stay relatively stable, with a marginal decrease in humidity levels. Saturday may continue with similar weather conditions, as rain is likely to persist under predominantly cloudy skies. However, no severe weather alert has been issued for the weekend as of now.

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Maharashtra

‘Are You Not From Hindustan?’: Woman Speaks Up After Allegedly Being Forced To Speak Marathi In Mumbai’s Ghatkopar

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Mumbai: A fresh controversy over language erupted in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar when a woman was allegedly harassed by a group of individuals for not speaking Marathi. A video of the incident, which quickly went viral on July 20, shows the woman being surrounded and confronted outside her residence by several people who demanded that she speak in Marathi.

Viral Video Shows Woman Forced To Speak Marathi

According to the woman, identified as Sanjira Devi, she was standing near her home when a group of men blocked her path. When she asked them to move aside, they reportedly insisted she speak in Marathi, reported. Upon refusing, an argument broke out. In the video, one of the men can be seen aggressively pointing a finger at her and shouting, “Speak in Marathi. This is Maharashtra.” Others in the group echoed similar sentiments, continuing to shout at her.

The woman, however, responded by stating her linguistic freedom, saying, “No, you speak in Hindi. Tell me, aren’t you Indian? Are you not from Hindustan?” The confrontation escalated briefly before a crowd gathered at the spot, and someone informed the police. By the time the police arrived, the accused individuals had fled. This incident has added to a growing number of similar confrontations in the city surrounding the use of language in public spaces.

Marwari Businessman Assaulted, Paraded By MNS Workers Over Anti-Marathi WhatsApp Status

Just days earlier, on July 16, a local businessman in Vikhroli’s Tagore Nagar area was allegedly assaulted by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers after he posted a provocative WhatsApp status seen as derogatory towards the Marathi community. The message reportedly read: “See the power of a Rajasthani. Beat the Marathi in Maharashtra itself. We are Marwaris, nobody can stand before us.”

The accused, identified as Prem Singh Devda, originally from Rajasthan, had been running a medical shop in the area. According to local sources, his post reached MNS leader Santosh Desai, leading party worker Vishwajit Dholam and others to confront Devda around 3 PM. They allegedly assaulted him, forced him to apologise in public, and paraded him through the market.

Devda was later taken to Vikhroli Police Station, where he issued a written apology. He reportedly left for his native village soon after. Senior Police Inspector Suryakant Naikwadi confirmed that no FIR had been filed, as neither party lodged a formal complaint.

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