By Majid Nabi
Srinagar- Police on Friday claimed to have busted a ‘honey trap’ gang in Srinagar and arrested four of its members including two women, allegedly extorting money from people by enticing them into a romantic relationship.
Addressing a press conference here, Superintendent of Police (SP) south Srinagar, Gaurav Sikarwar said the arrests came after one of the victims informed police on how the gang operates and exhorts money from naïve people.
SP South said the gang’s strategy consisted of “honey trapping” before demanding money from their victims, when they were finally going to meet the woman at her designated place.
He said four persons including two females have been arrested in this regard and a formal case is registered against them under relevant sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC).
According to Sikrawar, one of the women was interacting with the victim on social media including Facebook and Instagram, developing relations before enticing them into romantic relationships and finally asking them to meet her at the prearranged place.
Two of the gang members, including a woman, posed as police officers while another as a journalist, SP south said.
Firdous Ahmed Mir from Rainawari, he said posed as a superintendent of police, while Masrat Mir, a resident of Habba Kadal posed as an officer of the Crime Branch. Tariq Mir, a resident of Lal Bazar, posed as a journalist and Ashiya from Bemina honey-trapped the victims, they said.
He said the arrests were made following a complaint by one of the victims of this gang, who was ‘honey trapped’ by one of the female gang members some two years ago through social media.
“After winning his trust, she asked him to meet at her chosen place, and as soon as the victim entered the room, he found a fake police officer and a journalist already present in the next room. After sometime the fake media person entered into the room where he was sitting and threatened him that he will file a complaint against him,” he said, adding a female CB officer then suddenly appeared on the door, who also started to coerce the victim.
To settle the case, SP south said the gang then demanded money from the victim, who initially handed over a cheque to them; however the gang demanded more money to settle the case once for all.
“He transferred money through some of his friends; however, the gang continued to blackmail him. The victim finally informed his parents and lastly filed a complaint following which the entire gang was busted and accused arrested,” he added.
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