Gurugram police on Thursday arrested a 28-year-old man for drugging two residents and stealing valuables after connecting through an OLX flatmate advertisement.
The accused was identified as Deepak Maurya, 28, a resident of Adwar village in Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh.
The police recovered four laptops, eight mobile phones, 14 ATM and credit cards, two wristwatches, 15 SIM cards, intoxicating medicines and Rs 2.30 lakh in cash from his possession. Investigators also found that he had allegedly committed a similar offence in Gujarat.
According to police, a complaint was lodged at Sector-65 police station on May 26 by a resident, who had posted an advertisement on OLX seeking a flatmate.
The complainant stated that a man identifying himself as Vikas Sharma contacted him through the platform and moved into his flat in Pyramid Urban Homes Society, Sector 67A, on May 21.
Police said that during the night, the accused allegedly mixed an intoxicating substance into the food of the complainant and his companion, rendering them unconscious.
He then stole laptops, mobile phones, cash, an ATM, credit cards, identity documents and other valuables from the flat. The accused also allegedly misused the stolen bank cards to make unauthorised withdrawals and transactions worth around Rs 5.80 lakh.
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“During interrogation, the accused revealed that he created fake identities and profiles on social media and online platforms to contact people. After gaining their trust, he would visit their residences on the pretext of becoming a flatmate or tenant. He would then mix sleeping pills or intoxicating substances into food or drinks, render the victims unconscious, and steal mobile phones, laptops, cash, bank and credit cards, and other valuables. He would also misuse the stolen cards to withdraw money,” a senior police officer said.
The police said the accused admitted that he had created a fake profile under the name Vikas Sharma and used it to contact the complainant through OLX before moving into the flat as a supposed flatmate.
During questioning, Maurya also disclosed his involvement in a similar case in Gujarat. The police said a theft and cheating case had previously been registered against him at Bhilad Police Station in Valsad district. Further investigation is underway.
“We are continuing to question the accused and verify his involvement in other similar incidents,” a spokesperson for Gurugram police said.
