New Delhi: In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, a retired senior official from Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has fallen prey to a sophisticated honeytrap gang that extorted a significant amount of money from him. The scheme, which unfolded under the guise of a meeting with a Russian woman, involved the gang recording 27 compromising videos of the official during his stay at a hotel. These videos were subsequently used to blackmail him.False arrest threatsThe gang initially lured the retired official to the hotel where they filmed the incriminating footage. They then began threatening to release these videos unless he paid a substantial sum exceeding Rs 1 crore. In a further twist, a member of the gang impersonated a crime branch officer to intimidate him into paying even more by threatening arrest.Police investigation amid threatsThe retired official, distressed by the relentless threats, reported the incident to the police. Authorities have since launched a comprehensive investigation and are actively pursuing the suspects, including the Russian woman who was part of the ruse. The case highlights a growing trend of honeytrap scams, where individuals are ensnared and blackmailed using compromising images or videos.Ongoing honeytrap scamsHoneytraps continue to be a prevalent scam tactic across various regions. Despite increased awareness and similar cases being reported, many individuals still fall victim to these elaborate schemes, which leverage personal embarrassment for financial gain.
