MANGALURU: In yet another incident of honey-trapping, police have arrested six persons for trying to extort money from a 71-year-old retired government employee by offering the victim body massage services by young girls.
Police have arrested six persons including three girls in this connection, here on Thursday late night. According sources, one of the accused is son of a
Congress leader, whose father always seen with an MLC from Mangaluru.
The arrested have been identified as Preethesh, 36, resident of Mission Compound , Jail Road; Ravi Gowda, 42, from Mudigere and Ramesh, 35, resident of Kodakkal. Police have arrested three women, who were used as bait to lure victims. Police have seized cellphones and cash of Rs 1.5 lakh from them.
Explaining about their modus operandi, the accused had come in contact with a retired government employee, resident of Maryhill and they had offered him massage service by women. Victim had agreed for the services.
As per the instruction of the accused, the victim was introduced to a woman in Derebail on March 20. Later, she took him to a house nearby. Once victim and woman reached there, three unidentified persons entered the house, forced victim to strip and took video clip and photograph with compromising position with women present. It is alleged they reportedly blackmailed him by demanding Rs 3 lakh or else they would tarnish his image by uploading content online.
The victim, who in order to save himself from embarrassment and his reputation, agreed to pay amount demanded by the accused. Later, he transferred Rs 3 lakh to Ravi, one of the accused.
However, greed overtook the accused. They again started demanding for more money. When he refused, they threatened to post the man's photos in the company of girls in social media. Irked by this, the septuagenarian mustered courage and complained to Kavoor police. The case was taken up by sleuths
City Crime Branch and succeeded in cracking the racket.
Hanumantharya, DCP (Law and Order), mentioned that accused Ravi earlier booked for robbery and cheating case. The whereabouts of other accused and their previous history is being interrogated.
Honey trap incidents
Often Mangaluru witnesses honey-trap incidents, where new faces in the form of accused emerge. Last October, a married man was lured by a woman on social media, honey trapped, beaten and was robbed off his car, seven sovereign of gold, watch and Rs 15,000 cash. The incident occurred under Vittal police station.
In April last, a well reputed radiologist from city’s private hospital was honey trapped, kidnapped, beaten and was robbed off Rs 14 lakh through RTGS, by a gang of six to seven members. Some accused in this case still at large.
(Representative image)
