Mumbai | In a case highlighting the growing risks of online gaming and social media interactions, Mumbai Police have rescued a minor girl from Gujarat after she allegedly left home with ₹10.5 lakh in cash following contact with a man she met on a gaming app. The suspect, identified as Ziyan Shaikh, remains absconding and is being actively traced.
According to police, the girl, a resident of South Mumbai who had recently passed her Class 10 examinations, was an active user of an online Ludo gaming application that also allows chat and voice communication. It was through this platform that she allegedly came in contact with the accused, leading to frequent conversations and eventual personal bonding.
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Investigators said the accused allegedly portrayed himself as wealthy and influential, claiming he owned a bungalow in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Over time, he is believed to have gained her trust by promising marriage and a better future, gradually influencing her to leave her home.
On May 16 at around 3 am, the minor allegedly left her residence carrying ₹10.5 lakh in cash. When her family failed to locate her, a missing complaint was registered at the Sir J.J. Marg Police Station, prompting an immediate investigation.
Police teams analysed CCTV footage, technical inputs and digital footprints to track her movement. Initial findings showed she had travelled from South Mumbai to Thane, where she reportedly spent time shopping and purchased a new mobile phone. She also attempted to obtain a new SIM card but could not proceed due to lack of identity documents.
During this period, she connected to a shop Wi-Fi network and logged into social media, which provided investigators with a crucial breakthrough. Police tracked her Instagram activity and used digital surveillance tools to trace her location and movement pattern.
Investigators later discovered that she had boarded a private bus heading towards Rajasthan via Gujarat. Acting on this input, Mumbai Police coordinated with the Gujarat Crime Branch and set up multiple checkpoints along the Surat–Vadodara highway.
A large-scale search operation was launched, during which more than 30 buses were checked over several hours. The girl was eventually located inside one of the buses in Gujarat between 3 am and 4 am. She was safely rescued and brought back to Mumbai.
Police said she had reportedly spent around ₹1 lakh on shopping and mobile phone purchases during her journey. After necessary medical and legal procedures, she was reunited with her family.
Officials stated that preliminary investigation indicates the accused used emotional manipulation and false promises of marriage to influence the minor. They added that sustained communication through gaming and social media platforms played a key role in building trust.
The suspect, Ziyan Shaikh, is currently being tracked. Police are examining his digital trail, call records and social media chats to establish the extent of his involvement and possible links to other individuals.
Authorities also said they are investigating whether the accused is part of a larger network targeting minors through online platforms. The case is being treated as part of a growing pattern of cyber-enabled grooming and exploitation cases involving gaming apps and social media channels.
Officials have urged parents to closely monitor children’s online activity and remain alert to interactions with unknown individuals on gaming and messaging platforms, noting that such engagements can escalate into serious real-world consequences.
The investigation remains ongoing, with police focusing on identifying all digital and physical connections linked to the accused and ensuring his swift arrest.
