Meerut: Police in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut district have uncovered an alleged honeytrap and extortion racket that targeted young men through social media and operated a fake police office to intimidate victims into paying money. During the investigation, officers found that the accused had allegedly set up a location in the Mohkampur area resembling a police office, where victims were summoned and threatened by individuals posing as police officials. Brahmpuri police arrested two accused in connection with the case, while efforts are underway to trace other members of the network. Investigators believe the gang systematically used social media platforms to identify and blackmail victims.
The arrested accused have been identified as Rahul Pal, a resident of Rikhani, and Akash, a resident of Puttha under TP Nagar police station limits. According to police, the duo allegedly created fake Instagram profiles to contact young men. In several instances, they reportedly posed as women, gradually gained the victims’ trust, and later trapped them through explicit chats, nude video calls, or other compromising interactions. Investigators are now examining how many people were targeted and the overall scale of the alleged operation.
Police said that once a victim was trapped, they were called to the alleged fake police office in Mohkampur under various pretexts. The premises had been designed to resemble an authentic police establishment, complete with crime registers, FIR registers, and other official-looking documents intended to convince visitors they were inside a legitimate police office. Once there, the accused allegedly impersonated Circle Officers, Sub-Inspectors, or other police personnel, threatening victims with criminal cases, arrest, or imprisonment before demanding large sums of money in the name of settling the matter.
During the raid, police recovered a car without a registration plate, an additional number plate, two mobile phones, a telephone, a laptop, a tablet, fake official seals, nameplates, and other materials allegedly used in the operation. All electronic devices have been sent for forensic examination. Investigators expect to retrieve chat records, social media data, financial information, and other digital evidence that may help identify additional members of the network and establish the full extent of its activities.
The investigation began after a complaint was filed by a resident of Rikhani, who alleged that Shashank Sharma, Rahul, Akash, and their associates posed as police officials and demanded ₹200,000 as extortion money. According to the complaint, the accused also forced the complainant to transfer ₹10,000 online under pressure. After collecting technical evidence and conducting preliminary verification, police arrested the two accused and launched a wider investigation. Raids are continuing to locate the remaining suspects named in the case.
Investigators are also examining photographs and videos circulating on social media in which one of the accused, Rahul Pal, appears alongside political leaders and some police personnel. Police have clarified that the existence of such photographs alone does not establish any connection or wrongdoing on the part of those individuals. The authenticity, context, and purpose of the images are being independently verified. Officials are also investigating whether the accused used these photographs to falsely project influence and intimidate victims during the extortion process.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said honeytrap gangs often exploit fake identities on social media to gain victims’ trust before using compromising content for blackmail. He advised users not to accept friend requests from unknown profiles or share private photographs, videos, or personal information with strangers online. He further cautioned that if anyone claiming to be a police officer demands money or threatens legal action over the phone or online, citizens should verify the person’s identity through official channels and avoid making any payment. Police have produced the two arrested accused before a court, which remanded them to judicial custody, while the search for other members of the alleged network and the broader investigation remain ongoing.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
