HYDERABAD: Saidabad Police have arrested a 23 year old man in connection with an alleged honey trap, online blackmail and extortion case involving a reported total of ₹25.16 lakh, according to a police press note issued by the Charminar Zone police.
The accused, identified as Kondabhattula Pavan Kumar, allegedly created fake Facebook and Instagram accounts using women’s identities to establish contact with people online, obtain intimate photographs and videos and later threaten victims to extort money.
Police said the investigation revealed multiple fake social media profiles and alleged victims from different parts of India and abroad.
How the Alleged Honey Trap Operation Worked
- According to the police, the accused allegedly created fake profiles posing as women and sent friend and follow requests to people on Facebook and Instagram.
- After establishing contact, he allegedly engaged in personal and sexual conversations, exchanged nude photographs and encouraged the victims to share their own intimate images or videos.
- Police allege that the accused stored the material on different mobile phones and social media accounts. He would then introduce himself as the woman’s brother and allegedly contact victims through phone calls, WhatsApp and social media.
- According to the press note, he allegedly threatened to expose the victims private material and claimed that his supposed sister would file a complaint against them. Police said these threats were allegedly used to extort money from victims.
- The police also stated that the accused frequently used photographs of a woman from Kolkata under the name “Chandana” in his fake profiles. Authorities said they had taken steps to alert the woman through her workplace and local police in Kolkata.
₹25.16 Lakh in Alleged Extortion and Cheating
The police press note reports the following amounts:
- ₹18 lakh: Reported as allegedly obtained through extortion.
- ₹7.16 lakh: Reported in connection with alleged cheating.
- Total: ₹25.16 lakh.
- Police said one of the alleged victims was a friend of the accused from his diploma course, from whom approximately ₹4 lakh was allegedly extorted.
- In another case, the accused allegedly cheated a software employee of around ₹7 lakh by promising investment returns.
- The press note also refers to two unidentified persons who were allegedly subjected to extortion involving amounts of approximately ₹6.8 lakh and ₹7 lakh. Police said further cases may be registered in connection with the investigation.
- The figures and individual allegations are based on the police press note and may be subject to further investigation and verification.
More Than 1,000 People Reportedly Contacted
- According to the police, more than 1,000 people had reportedly chatted with the fake accounts, while 82 people were said to have shared nude photographs or videos.
- The press note identifies alleged victims from Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Punjab, as well as people reportedly connected to Dubai, Turkiye, Pakistan and Canada.
- The alleged victims included doctors, businesspeople, lecturers, private sector employees, delivery workers and gig-economy workers.
- Police reported identifying 13 Instagram accounts and 14 Facebook accounts allegedly associated with the accused. The investigation also involved two WhatsApp accounts and three mobile numbers, according to the press note.
Mobile Phones, Laptop Seized
- During the investigation, police reported seizing three mobile phones Redmi, Vivo Y29 and Samsung Galaxy devices along with an HP laptop and a 16 GB pen drive.
- The press note also mentions three bank accounts associated with the investigation, including accounts held in the names of the accused and his father.
- Police are investigating the alleged use of these accounts and devices in connection with the reported offences.
Investigation Under Charminar Zone Police
- The case has been registered at Saidabad Police Station as Crime No. 358/2026 under Sections 308(7) and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 66C, 66D, 66E and 67A of the Information Technology Act, as cited in the police press note.
- The investigation was conducted under the supervision of Khare Kiran Prabhakar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Charminar Zone; Md. Majeed, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Charminar Zone; and Soma Venkat Reddy, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Saidabad Division.
- B. Chandra Mohan, Station House Officer of Saidabad Police Station, is the investigating officer, according to the press note.
- Police indicated that further cases could be registered as the investigation progresses.
Cyber Safety: What People Should Do
The case highlights the risks of sharing private photographs and videos with people met through social media.
Cybersecurity and public safety precautions include:
- Avoid sharing intimate photographs, videos or sensitive personal information with unknown online contacts.
- Verify suspicious profiles before trusting them, even if they appear to belong to familiar people.
- Do not pay money in response to threats or blackmail without seeking advice and assistance from law enforcement.
- Preserve relevant messages, screenshots, account details, payment records and other evidence.
- Report cybercrime through the official National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at https://cybercrime.gov.in. For financial cyber fraud, call 1930 promptly.
Victims should seek police assistance rather than remain silent out of fear or embarrassment.
Editorial Note: This report is based on information provided in the Saidabad Police press note. The allegations against the accused have not been established in court. The accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty through due legal process.
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