Amravati, April 18 -- A 19-year-old man, who was arrested for allegedly molesting and sexually harassing at least 180 minor girls, told the Maharashtra Police that a breakup prompted him to adopt a "playboy" persona.

According to Amravati Rural Police, Mohammed Ayaz, a resident of Paratwada city, had an Instagram account with 18,000 followers. He allegedly lured girls into a "love trap," took them to Mumbai and Pune, recorded private videos in compromising selfies and later used them via WhatsApp and Snapchat to blackmail the girls into prostitution. Some of the videos were also shared online.

He said he used a friend's flat at Kathora Naka to take girls there, paying Rs 500 each time. Other locations included cafes and a garden near Va...