Hyderabad, October 19, The Freedom Press : The Saidabad police have arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly running a honey-trap racket by creating fake social media profiles using women’s identities, trapping victims in online relationships and extorting money by threatening to expose their private photographs and videos.
According to a police press note, the accused, identified as Pavan Kumar, allegedly operated fake Facebook and Instagram accounts using photographs of women. He reportedly befriended people, engaged them in private conversations and persuaded some victims to share intimate photographs and videos. He allegedly stored the material and later threatened to file complaints against the victims, demanding money in return.
Police said the accused allegedly extorted ₹18 lakh from victims and cheated others of ₹7.16 lakh through separate schemes, taking the total alleged amount involved to ₹25.16 lakh.
The press note states that more than 1,000 people were allegedly contacted or affected through the fake accounts. Police identified 82 victims who had sent nude photographs or videos. The alleged victims include professionals such as doctors, businesspersons, lecturers, private-sector employees, delivery personnel and gig workers from several Indian states and other countries.
Investigators also cited an alleged ₹4 lakh extortion involving the accused’s diploma-college friend and a separate ₹7 lakh investment fraud involving a software employee.
Police seized mobile phones, a laptop and a pen drive during the investigation. The case was registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act.
The investigation is being conducted by Saidabad police under the supervision of senior officers of Hyderabad’s Charminar Zone. (eom)
