Allegations of systematic extortion and fraud target local professionals
Gorakhpur police have arrested two women, named in reports as Anshika Singh (also referred to as Antima) and Garima Singh, who are accused of carrying out an extensive fraud and blackmail operation that allegedly duped doctors, police officers and other individuals of about ₹10 crore. Both accused are currently lodged in the Gorakhpur jail, according to local investigators.
Police accounts cited in media reports say the two employed different methods but ran parallel operations that targeted people with access or resources. Authorities say the alleged offences unfolded over several years and involved both online and in-person elements.
- Anshika Singh is accused of luring victims through intimate video calls, secretly recording them and then using the recordings to extort money, police said.
- Investigators told reporters that Anshika reportedly used WhatsApp video calls and is alleged to have trapped around 150 people over a five-year period.
- The alleged victims included more than 15 police officers, investigators said, specifying that one of the officers named was a Deputy Superintendent of Police from Ayodhya.
- Garima Singh is accused of defrauding doctors and officers; police claim the total alleged fraud in her case is approximately ₹10 crore.
Incident that led to arrest and investigative findings
Reports say Anshika was arrested after an incident on 20 January 2026 in the Singhariya area of Gorakhpur. She was celebrating her birthday near a model shop when a confrontation reportedly occurred with the manager of a private hospital. During the scuffle, police allege she brandished a pistol; a bullet struck a friend of the manager in the abdomen. Bystanders are said to have detained Anshika and her companions, after which she was taken into custody.
During subsequent questioning and examination of devices seized from her possession, police said they recovered numerous video files and other material pointing to a pattern of extortion. Authorities allege she recorded video calls made by victims — including instances when she was undressed — and later used the material to blackmail those people for money.
Scale, targets and local ramifications
Police sources cited in reports described the operation as extensive and noted the involvement of people across professions. The alleged targeting of serving police personnel has drawn particular attention, with investigators saying more than a dozen officers were among the claimed victims.
Media accounts also reported that Garima was preparing to purchase an expensive vehicle — cited as a ₹1 crore Defender — before the alleged fraud came to light and law enforcement intervened. Both accused remain in judicial custody as criminal proceedings begin to unfold.
| Alleged detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Estimated total defrauded | ₹10 crore |
| Number of alleged victims linked to video-call scheme | ~150 |
| Police officers reportedly among victims | More than 15 (including a DSP from Ayodhya) |
| Incident date that prompted arrest | 20 January 2026 |
Next steps and official processes
Investigations remain underway and the allegations are subject to judicial determination. Local police have registered cases and are examining digital evidence recovered from devices, while enquiries into associated transactions and possible accomplices continue, according to reports.
The case has raised questions about online privacy risks and the vulnerability of professionals to blackmail. If proven, the allegations would represent a significant fraud operation with institutional implications for local healthcare providers and law enforcement personnel in Gorakhpur and surrounding districts.
Both accused will face further legal proceedings once formal charges are framed and the matter proceeds through the criminal justice system, as reported.
