A 30-year-old software engineer from Bengaluru, seeking companionship on a dating app, fell victim to a dangerous two-stage honeytrap, leading to his assault and extortion. The incident, which unfolded in the RR Nagar and Annapoorneshwarinagar areas, culminated in the arrest of five individuals by the city police.
The Initial Contact and First Incident
According to the victim, identified as Sam in the police complaint, the ordeal began on December 1. He first connected with a woman named Sumalata, also known as Anjali, through a Telegram group named 'Fun with Benefits Escort Group'. Following their online interaction, Sam was invited to Sumalata's residence in Annapoorneshwarinagar on the night of December 10.
Upon his arrival, the situation turned hostile. Sumalata allegedly snatched Rs 20,000 in cash and his mobile phone. She then demanded a hefty sum of Rs 1 lakh from him, threatening to call her associates and have him beaten if he refused. In a moment of quick thinking, Sam managed to grab his phone and escape from the location.
The Second Stage of the Trap
Unaware that he was still being targeted, Sam received another message on Telegram on the morning of December 20. This time, it was from a user named 'Sweety', who expressed interest in meeting him. Agreeing to the meet, Sam went to RR Nagar around 1:45 PM.
This was a carefully laid trap. Sweety was, in fact, a friend of Sumalata named Harshini. As Sam was walking near a temple in RR Nagar, a group of five people, including both Sumalata and Harshini, surrounded him. They blocked his path, snatched another Rs 20,000 he was carrying, and began physically assaulting him while repeating the demand for Rs 1 lakh.
Police Intervention and Arrests
As the assailants attacked him, Sam raised an alarm. Alert passersby heard his shouts and promptly called the police control room. A patrolling Hoysala police vehicle rushed to the spot, causing the five accused to flee the scene.
Based on the detailed complaint filed by Sam, the investigating officers launched a search. They successfully traced and arrested all five individuals involved. The arrested have been identified as Sumalata (28), Harshini alias Sweety (26), Jagadish alias Jagga (35), Manju alias Manjunath (30), and Lokesh Kumar (32), all residents of RR Nagar and Annapoorneshwarinagar. The accused have been remanded to judicial custody at the Bengaluru central prison.
This case serves as a stark warning about the potential dangers of online interactions with strangers, especially on platforms that promise instant connections. It highlights how criminals are exploiting dating apps and social media groups to lure victims into elaborate extortion schemes.
