A 70-year-old retired employee was allegedly defrauded of about ₹38 lakh after accepting a Facebook friend request from a person posing as a woman, with Hyderabad Cyber Crimes police arresting a 26-year-old man in connection with the case.
How Did the Facebook Honey Trap Begin?
The victim approached the cybercrime police after receiving a Facebook friend request from an account claiming to belong to a woman. After he accepted the request, the two began chatting online.
Initially, the person behind the account introduced herself and asked the victim for money, claiming it was required for household needs. The conversations later became more personal, and the person claimed to be the victim’s relative.
Over time, sexually explicit conversations were initiated through Facebook chat. The victim was then allegedly threatened with accusations of sexual abuse involving a minor and warned that he could face criminal prosecution.
Police said the threats were used to blackmail the elderly man and extract money from him.
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How Was the Victim Blackmailed?
Police said cybercriminals involved in such cases typically create fake Facebook profiles in the names of young women and send friend requests to elderly men.
Once contact is established, they begin friendly conversations to gain the victim’s confidence. After building trust, fraudsters may seek money on different pretexts, including household requirements, medical emergencies or gifts.
The conversations can later turn sexually explicit. The victim may then be threatened with allegations of sexual harassment or exploitation of a minor.
In some cases, fraudsters also impersonate police officers and threaten victims with criminal prosecution to force them into making additional payments.
In the present case, police said a fraudulent Facebook account in a woman’s name was used to contact the retired employee. After he accepted the request, he was allegedly blackmailed through threats that he would be accused of sexually exploiting a minor.
The victim was ultimately extorted of approximately ₹38 lakh.
Who Has Been Arrested?
Hyderabad Cyber Crimes police arrested a 26-year-old man in connection with the case.
The accused lives in Palakollu in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. Police also seized two mobile phones from him.
The investigation centres on the alleged use of a fraudulent social media identity to gain the elderly victim’s trust before blackmailing him and demanding money.
Why Are Senior Citizens Being Warned?
Police have advised people, particularly senior citizens, not to accept friend requests from strangers on Facebook, Instagram or other social media platforms.
They have also cautioned users against engaging in private or personal conversations with unknown contacts and against sending money to people they do not know.
Families have been urged to educate elderly relatives about cyber fraud and support them in monitoring their online activity.
Police stressed that victims should not hesitate or feel ashamed to report such offences. Delayed reporting can make it more difficult to respond to fraudulent transactions.
What Should Victims Do If Someone Claims to Be Police?
Police warned that genuine officers will not demand money over the phone to settle a criminal case.
If a caller claims to be a police officer, demands payment and threatens criminal action, the safest response is to end the call and seek assistance through official channels.
The warning is particularly relevant in blackmail cases where fraudsters use fear of arrest or criminal allegations to pressure victims into paying money.
How Should Cyber Fraud Be Reported
Victims of cybercrime have been advised to call the cybercrime helpline at 1930 or use the national cybercrime reporting portal for assistance.
Prompt reporting is important because it can help authorities act against fraudulent transactions. Police have also urged families to take threats against elderly relatives seriously and encourage victims to seek help rather than continue paying fraudsters.
The420 Takeaway: “A Friend Request Can Be a Trap”
The case shows how an apparently ordinary social media interaction can be turned into a prolonged blackmail attempt. Unknown friend requests, rapidly personal conversations and threats involving police action should be treated as warning signs. Victims facing such threats should stop engaging with the caller or account, avoid further payments and report the matter promptly through official cybercrime channels.
About the author — Ayesha Aayat writes on cybercrime, digital safety, and emerging online threats. Her work focuses on public awareness, legal clarity, and technology-driven risks.
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