A brazen gang of carjackers operating in Delhi has been busted after a robbery at gunpoint last month, in which female accomplices were reportedly used to entice cab drivers—especially during late-night hours.
According to Delhi Police, two of the four male gang members leveraged their girlfriends to book rides via a cab app and win the cabbies’ trust before turning on them.
The Crime and Arrests
Shortly after midnight on September 26, a cab driver accepted a booking from Signature Bridge, Delhi, to Sector 9, Dwarka, a long ride of roughly 32 km. Around 2:00 am, an Ertiga cab reached the assigned location, where a woman, accompanied by two men, entered the car.
When the cab reached its destination, one man stepped out, pointed a country-made pistol at the driver’s forehead, and robbed him of his wallet, mobile phone, and car keys. The assailants then fled in the cab itself, along with other accomplices.
Using the driver’s statement, Dwarka South police formed a special team and launched a manhunt. Following an intense chase of 8–10 km, they arrested four suspects within 12 hours of the crime. The arrested men have been named Sohitab, Juned, Javed, and the alleged mastermind, Aladdin, who has eight prior criminal cases.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Ankit Singh confirmed that a key intelligence lead from Head Constable Praveen Yadav led to spotting and intercepting a suspect vehicle in Chhawla, where Aladdin attempted to escape in a stolen Ertiga. That vehicle had reportedly been taken in a previous robbery in Rozka Meo, Nuh, Haryana.
Modus Operandi and Gang Structure
During the interrogation, the arrested confessed that they had deliberately booked the cab to Sector 9 and shared live location data and vehicle details with Aladdin, who followed them in another car.
They planned to lure the driver to a secluded spot under the pretext of “needing water” or being unwell. When the driver refused to stop, the plan was executed at the drop-off point itself.
Police also revealed that Aladdin and Juned’s girlfriends were active participants in the scheme.
These women are accused of three separate car theft cases registered across Gurgaon, Mewat, and Timarpur (Delhi). Authorities are reportedly conducting raids to apprehend them.
Furthermore, Aladdin is said to have used Instagram to interact with potential buyers of stolen cars. He allegedly reached out to interested parties and arranged sales via the platform.
A police team led by Rajesh Kumar, SHO of Dwarka South, including ASI Mahavir, Head Constable Praveen Yadav, and Constable Tushar, was credited with cracking the case.
In a separate confession, Aladdin admitted to another car theft: on September 24, he had allegedly robbed a different Ertiga in Rozka Meo, injuring the driver with the handle of the pistol before absconding. A case has already been registered in that matter.
Why This Case Matters
This case underlines a growing trend in property crimes: exploitation of trust and relationships. The use of female accomplices to disarm suspicion is chilling. While many crimes prey on the vulnerable, this gang targeted unsuspecting drivers—those who were simply doing their jobs.
When offenders are close—such as girlfriends or acquaintances—the victim’s assumption of safety is weaponized against them. That makes detection harder and the betrayal even more severe.
More broadly, this case highlights:
- The increasing sophistication of urban crime networks
- The blending of digital tools (apps, GPS sharing, social media) with traditional theft
- The importance of swift intelligence-led policing, as seen in Delhi’s response
Recommendations & Lessons
For cab drivers and gig workers:
- Be cautious about long rides booked by new or seldom-used customers.
- Verify identities or ask for caller verification or codes before beginning the journey.
- Avoid detours or stops to secluded locations at the customer’s request.
For law enforcement agencies:
- Strengthen real-time location and trip monitoring systems.
- Encourage app platforms to support driver verification and safety protocols.
- Use a combination of technical surveillance (CCTV, vehicle tracking) and human intelligence.
For citizens at large:
- Be aware that crime tactics evolve, and trust must be earned, not assumed.
- Encourage safety awareness among those in public-facing roles—drivers, delivery personnel, etc.
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