The Saidabad police of the Charminar zone of the city has arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly operating a honey trap and online extortion scheme by posing as a woman on social media, collecting intimate photographs and videos, and threatening to expose victims unless they paid money.
The accused, Kondabhatthula Pavan Kumar, a resident of Kukatpally of the city and native of Bhadradri Kothagudem district, was arrested following an investigation into the alleged racket. The identified victims reportedly include doctors, businessmen, lecturers, private-sector employees, delivery personnel and gig workers. Police suspect that the profiles interacted with more than 1,000 people over three to four years. Of these, 82 allegedly shared intimate photographs or videos. Investigators have identified 24 victims from other states and nine from overseas locations. A friend from the accused’s diploma course was allegedly extorted for Rs 4 lakh, police said. The investigation suspects approximately Rs 18 lakh of alleged extortion through blackmail. In a separate incident, the accused allegedly cheated a software employee of Rs 7.16 lakh by promising high returns on an investment. The combined amount involved is Rs 25.16 lakh.
A case was registered and further investigation is underway.
