It starts with something as simple as an Instagram message. A few casual chats follow, then comes a seemingly harmless assignment. Once the task is completed, Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 is transferred online as a reward. Over time, the assignments become more sensitive and investigators say the recruit is gradually groomed for activities that could eventually threaten national security. According to the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), this is the method allegedly adopted by Pakistan-based gangsters to identify and lure vulnerable Indian youths through social media. The recruitment pattern came to light during the questioning of ten youths detained in simultaneous ATS raids across Vidarbha on Friday. After preliminary inquiry, all ten were allowed to leave as investigators found no evidence at this stage that they had participated in any anti-national activity.

 

However, the ATS continues to examine their digital footprint, including social media accounts, chats and financial transactions. Senior police officials said the inquiry revealed that six of the detained youths were Muslims and four were Hindus which suggest that the alleged recruiters were not targeting any particular community. Instead, they were selecting persons based on their social media activity, financial condition and willingness to take risks for quick money. According to investigators, gangs of Pakistan-based gangsters Shahzad Bhatti, Abid Jat and Rana Hanene allegedly use Instagram and other social media platforms to identify potential recruits. Before making contact, they carefully study public profiles and online behaviour. Officials said the first stage involves screening social media accounts. Youths who frequently post photographs or reels displaying pistols, knives, luxury lifestyles, reckless stunts or attempts to project a “gangster” image are allegedly shortlisted. Investigators said many of these youths have limited education and work as labourers, daily wage earners or in low-paying jobs. They are often attracted by the promise of easy money, online popularity and a sense of belonging.

 

The operators also assess whether the target is facing financial difficulties, has a criminal background, suffers from drug addiction or appears eager for recognition on social media. Once a target is identified, the alleged recruiters initiate contact through Instagram direct messages or other online platforms. At first, they avoid discussing anything illegal. Instead, they focus on building trust through regular conversations. Investigators said the handlers often praise the youth, encourage their posts and gradually develop a personal rapport. In some cases, they send links asking the person to continue the conversation on encrypted messaging applications. Police said the recruiters closely observe every response to judge whether the person is ambitious and willing to follow instructions without questioning them. The next stage involves assigning small tasks. According to investigators, the operators deliberately begin with assignments that appear completely harmless. One such case involved a youth from Navi Mumbai who was allegedly asked to click a photograph of a police station and send it to the handler. Officials said the purpose of such tasks is not the photograph itself, but to test whether the recruit is willing to obey instructions. If the assignment is completed successfully, the youth allegedly receives an online payment ranging between Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000. Police believe these payments build confidence, reduce hesitation and encourage the recruit to continue accepting future assignments.

 

Investigators said the tasks become progressively more sensitive. Each successful assignment is followed by another that requires a greater level of trust and involvement. Officials explained that the operators do not immediately push recruits into major crimes. Instead, they gradually increase both the complexity of the tasks and the financial rewards. By then, the recruit has developed confidence in the handler and is less likely to question instructions. According to police, it is only after this prolonged grooming process that the handlers allegedly consider assigning tasks linked to organised crime or activities that could threaten national security. Security agencies believe the ultimate objective is to create a network of persons who can be activated whenever required. Officials pointed to recent incidents in Punjab, including attacks on police personnel allegedly linked to cross-border criminal networks, as examples of how such recruitment models can be used after months of online grooming. Investigators also referred to cases involving explosive devices and targeted attacks that remain under investigation.

 

Police said the pattern closely resembles the operating style of organised crime syndicates, including networks linked to the Bishnoi gang, where foreign-based handlers allegedly direct activities through local recruits in India. Officials clarified that in the Nagpur inquiry, none of the ten detained youths had reached the stage where they were assigned any serious criminal or anti-national task. Their contact with the suspected handlers was found to be at an early stage. The ATS has therefore treated the operation as a preventive exercise aimed at identifying recruitment attempts before they develop further. Investigators are continuing to examine mobile phones, Instagram accounts, financial transactions and digital communications to determine the exact nature of the contact and whether any money was transferred.