KL-HONEYTRAP-ARREST

Four held in Kerala for honey trapping NRI bizman
Kochi, Sept 22 (PTI) Four people including a woman were
arrested for allegedly honey trapping a Gulf-based NRI
businessman to extort money from him, police said on Sunday.
While three of the accused hail from Kannur district, the
womanbelongs to Kochi.
An investigation was launched based on a complaint that
the Qatar-based businessman was lured into the trap allegedly
by the woman, who was in that country, by establishing
friendship through Facebook, they said.
The businessman was invited to her room in Qatar by the
woman.
One of the accused, in connivance with the woman, had
allegedly set up a secret camera inside the room and took
their naked photos.
The woman and her gang members allegedly sent the
naked photos to the businessman when he reached Kerala and
threatened that the photos will be released if he did not give
them Rs 50 lakh.
The businessman decided to approach the police following
advice from one of his friends with whom he discussed the
matter.
Based on the complaint filed by the businessman, Kochi
Central police launched the probe.
Using their contacts in Qatar, police collected details
of the woman and others involved in the crime.
The industrialist had deposited some money into the
account provided by the gang and investigation revealed that
the money was withdrawn from an ATM in Thaliparamba in Kannur
district.
A trap was laid and the gang were traced from north
Kerala.
During interrogation, it was found that many Keralites
had fallen in their honey trap.
The custodial interrogation of the accused, currently in
judicial custody, was required to unearth the crimes they
committed, police said. PTI TGB
ROH ROH

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)