Bengaluru: YouTuber held for extorting bakery owners under guise of journalist

Team Udayavani, Oct 11, 2024, 3:26 PM IST

Police from the Hulimavu station have arrested a YouTuber identified as Shafi, a resident of Bommanahalli, for extorting bakery owners under the guise of a journalist.

The accused was reportedly visiting several bakeries in the city, threatening the owners by claiming they lacked hygiene and proper management. He would sneak into the bakeries to record videos and then blackmail the owners, stating he would inform BBMP officials to revoke their licenses.

Recently, he targeted bakery owners in Akshay Nagar near Hulimavu, demanding Rs 10,000 from them. He attempted to extort money from another bakery owner as well. The bakery owner refused to pay, and informed the police, stating that Shafi had threatened him by claiming connections with local political leaders and an MLA.

Upon receiving the complaint, police arrived at the scene, detained Shafi, and initiated an inquiry, which revealed a pattern of extortion. It is reported that he had previously threatened around 50 bakery owners for money. Police have seized a mobile phone and a fake identification card from him, and a case has been registered at the Hulimavu station. Investigations are ongoing.