Hyderabad: A conversation that started with an unknown profile on social media became a problem for many people including a police inspector. In Hyderabad, police arrested 23-year-old youth K. Pawan Kumar. It is alleged that he used to befriend people by running fake social media accounts in the name of women, then blackmail them by obtaining their personal photos and videos. According to the police, doctors, businessmen, lecturers and people associated with other professions also got trapped in this alleged honeytrap.
How did the game of chatting in the name of a fake girl start?
According to the police, the accused had created several fake profiles on social media under the name ‘Chandana’. He created 13 accounts on Instagram and 14 on Facebook. Through these accounts, he would contact people and gradually take the conversation to personal topics.
Initially the conversation was normal, but later the other person was asked to share personal photos and videos. People were unaware of the real identity of the person behind the profile. This trust was allegedly taken advantage of.
How was blackmailing done with personal photos of 82 people?
According to the police investigation, the accused had contacted more than 1,000 people. Of these, personal photos and videos of 82 men were obtained and they were allegedly blackmailed. Threats were made that if the money was not given, their photographs and videos would be made public on social media.
According to Charminar DCP Kiran Khare, it is estimated that more than Rs 25 lakh will be extorted through this alleged racket. Among those targeted, 24 people from other states and nine people living abroad are also said to be included. The police are investigating the matter.
How was a police inspector cheated of Rs 10 lakh?
The name of a police inspector has also surfaced in this case. Inspector Balaswamy’s wife has lodged a complaint that around Rs 10 lakh was taken from her husband. According to the complaint, the accused described himself as a relative of ‘Chandana’ and assured to get the inspector married to her. After this the money was allegedly taken. The inspector was arrested in a separate case in early October. In that case, he was accused of fraud and sexual exploitation. On the complaint of his wife, Khairatabad police have now registered a separate case in this honeytrap case.
How did the matter come to light?
According to the police, a 22-year-old engineering student had complained that he was being blackmailed from the year 2024 and around Rs 4 lakh was extorted from him. Based on the complaint, Saidabad police started investigation and arrested Pawan Kumar. The accused has been sent to judicial custody.
Police are now trying to find out how many more people may be involved in this alleged racket and whether other victims will also come forward.
