Authorities in Punjab are investigating a disturbing pattern where local businessmen in Ludhiana and Jagraon received ransom calls from foreign numbers claiming links to international criminal gangs. In one case, shopkeeper Jatinder Singh was allegedly shot at on July 5, followed by a ₹50 lakh demand from a U.S. phone number. Another Jagraon businessman was threatened by a Malaysian number. Punjab cybercrime units are tracing encrypted call origins, suspecting either foreign networks or local handlers operating internationally. The situation underscores how organized extortion tactics have become globalized, and law enforcement is scrambling to respond.
