MANGALURU: The Mangaluru City Police have cracked a sensational honeytrap case and arrested four people, including two women. The gang through social media used to target businessmen, assault and blackmail them for ransom.
The accused have been identified as Reshma aka Nima, 32, Iqbal alias Mohammed Iqbal 35, Zeenath aka Zeenath Mubin, 28, and Nasif aka Abdul Khader, 25.
City police commissioner N Shashi Kumar told reporters on Monday that Reshma and Zeenath would identify people on social media, befriend them and later invite them to their house. They would post different display pictures. The video of youth being assaulted with a stick had gone viral recently. The incident was reported on January 14 and on January 16, the victim filed a complaint with the Surathkal police based on which four people have been arrested, he said.
Giving details Shashi Kumar said that a businessman from Kumbla in Kasaragod had arrived at Surathkal junction, based on the invitation by the con women, in his car and Reshma joined him. After that the rest of the gang members follow them to Reshma’s house. He is assaulted by the gang and place demand for Rs 5 lakh. When he pleads inability to pay a huge amount immediately, they keep his car and shoot a video removing his clothes and threaten to release his video on social media and even go to his native claiming that he is in a relationship with the lady. They threatened to file a rape case against him. As a first instalment, he agrees to pay Rs 30,000.
“We have information that more people may be involved in the case and a search is on. The accused may be involved in six more cases involving lakhs of rupees in the recent past. Evidence retrieved including messages and videos is being examined. The accused’ led a lavish lifestyle and made several online purchases. They would target men from Kerala since they accused also hailed from Kerala, “Shashi Kumar said.
While Reshma rolls beedies, Zeenath is an insurance agent and the other two accused are drivers. Zeenath and her husband stayed in an apartment. The police have seized about four mobile phones, five credit/ debit cards, hockey stick and a car. Interestingly the car has been modified to suit cattle trafficking and the police suspect the gang was involved in the act during the lean period.
The commissioner has requested victims to come forward with complaints and assured that confidentiality will be maintained.