Police in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor district have arrested seven people after uncovering an alleged honeytrap gang accused of targeting financially well-off individuals, threatening to implicate them in serious criminal cases and extorting money.
Police said the investigation has so far indicated attempts to trap people in more than 12 cases in Bijnor and Amroha. According to police, the alleged gang included women and young men who were used to draw selected targets into the trap. The suspected mastermind has been identified as Babbu Langda. Investigators said the gang allegedly used fear of public disgrace and legal action to pressure victims into paying large sums.
Victims Allegedly Threatened With False Cases
Police said the gang, described as active in the Kotwali Shahar police station area of Bijnor, first identified financially well-off people as potential targets. Women associated with the group would allegedly establish contact with them and gradually draw them into the gang’s trap.
The victims were then allegedly threatened with being implicated in serious criminal cases. Police said the fear of social embarrassment and legal proceedings was used to demand money from them. After money was allegedly extorted, the gang would begin looking for another target.
The investigation found that Girish allegedly tried to extort between ₹1 lakh and ₹3 lakh from several people by threatening to implicate them in false serious cases.
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Women and Young Men Allegedly Part of Gang
Police action followed information about the suspected gang, leading to the arrest of seven accused. Investigators said women were also part of the group and were allegedly used to trap victims.
Before the police action, three women suspected of having links with the gang had reportedly absconded. Police subsequently arrested Ashiq and Dilshad, both described as residents of Bijnor, in connection with the case.
Investigators are questioning those arrested to establish the full structure of the alleged network and identify others who may have been involved.
Police Examine More Than 12 Suspected Cases
According to police, the initial investigation has indicated that the alleged gang attempted to implicate people in more than 12 cases across Bijnor and Amroha. Investigators suspect different individuals were targeted and money was allegedly demanded from them after threats were made.
Police said the investigation remains underway and the involvement of additional people could emerge. Several other names are still expected to surface, and searches are continuing.
Investigators have also indicated that other faces linked to the alleged honeytrap network could be exposed as the inquiry progresses. Police are now working to determine who was targeted by the gang and how long the alleged operation had been active.
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