A first-year college student in Rajasthan’s Kota faked his own abduction and demanded a ransom of Rs 2 lakh from his parents, police said on Thursday. Superintendent of Police Amrita Duhan reported that Jagpura resident Bhojraj Gochar filed a missing person’s report after his son, Suraj Gochar, failed to return home on Tuesday.

A rescue team was formed under Deputy Superintendent of Police Manish Sharma. During the investigation, Bhojraj Gochar revealed that he had received a ransom demand and a photo of Suraj tied up and gagged on WhatsApp, sent from Suraj’s phone.

Police traced Suraj to Jaipur Junction station on Wednesday evening. The 18-year-old admitted to faking the abduction to recover Rs 40,000 he lost in an online game, inspired by a television series. He had traveled to Jaipur, taken a photo of himself tied and gagged in a hostel room, and sent it to his father, pretending to be kidnapped.

Source: PTI

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