Honeytrap gang busted in Mumbai, VP Road police arrest three women. A case has emerged where a businessman was called to a hotel and extorted for Rs 35,000. The fourth female accused is still at large.
Mumbai: A honeytrap gang active in the southern part of the city has been busted. VP Road police have arrested three women involved in this gang, while the fourth woman is still absconding. Police state that this gang systematically trapped businessmen and others, extorting money from them. Given the seriousness of the matter, the police have launched an investigation and are searching for the absconding accused.
Businessman falls victim to fraud
According to the police, in a recent incident, a 46-year-old businessman was targeted by this gang. The victim, a resident of Jalgaon, frequently travels to Mumbai for work. He arrived at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), where a woman approached him outside the station and offered sexual services for Rs 500.
The woman took the businessman in a taxi to Girgaon and called him to a room in a building near Bharat Bhavan Hotel. Another woman, already present there, started a conversation with the businessman and suddenly accused him of recording an obscene video. Immediately, three more women entered the room, intimidated the businessman, and forced him to online transfer Rs 22,000 using his mobile details.
Gang extorted cash and online payments from businessman
During the incident, the gang also forcibly took Rs 13,000 cash from the businessman's wallet. The accused women mentally pressured him by threatening to publicly defame him. The victim initially remained silent due to fear, but later filed a complaint at the VP Road Police Station on September 30.
The police confirmed the online transfer during their investigation and also obtained CCTV footage. Officials state that the gang's modus operandi was highly organized, and they extorted the entire amount from the businessman by intimidating him. Police are now working to determine how many other individuals the gang has targeted.
Police action and arrests
Police identified the three accused as Majida Noor Sardar Ghazi, Roopa Vishwanath Das, and Nasimma Zaman Sheikh. All three were produced in court and sent to two days of police custody. The fourth female accused is still absconding, and the search for her has been intensified.
Police believe that this gang might have targeted other individuals in a similar manner, but many victims did not come forward due to social stigma and fear. The investigation is also examining whether these women are connected to a larger extortion syndicate.
Police vigilance and further action
Given the seriousness of the case, VP Road police have formed a team. Officials stated that swift action is being taken to identify and apprehend other members of the gang. The police have also warned that any form of extortion and honeytrap activities will not be tolerated.
Officials also mention that businessmen and others often do not report such incidents due to fear. The police have appealed that complaints be registered immediately in such cases so that criminals can be promptly punished and the entire network of the gang can be exposed.
