Hyderabad, Oct 5 (Maxim News): An Andhra man was arrested by Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police for extorting Rs 38 lakh from a 70-year-old retired employee through a honey trap operated on Facebook.
The accused, aged 26, is a resident of Palakollu in West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh.
He created a fake profile in a woman’s name, gained the victim’s trust through friendly chats and then blackmailed him with false allegations of sexual exploitation of a minor girl.
According to the complaint filed on June 17, 2025, the victim received a Facebook friend request from an unknown ID using a woman’s name.
He accepted it and the two began chatting. The person behind the profile introduced herself, built rapport and began asking for money citing household needs.
A second person then contacted the victim, claiming to be a relative of the woman.
Over time, the conversations turned intimate. The fraudsters then used the sexual chat content to blackmail the victim, falsely alleging he had sexually exploited a minor girl.
They impersonated police officers and threatened him with criminal cases.
Through sustained threats and intimidation, they extorted approximately Rs 38 lakh from him across multiple transactions.
Andhra Man Arrested for Facebook Honey Trap That Targeted Hyderabad Senior Citizen
The case was registered under Crime No. 1104/2025 under Sections 66C and 66D of the IT Act and Sections 308(2), 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Two mobile phones were seized from the accused.
Police explained the modus operandi used in such cases. Fraudsters create fake Facebook profiles using photos of young women.
They target elderly men, send friend requests and build trust through affectionate chats. They demand money citing household needs, medical emergencies or gifts.
Once the victim is drawn into intimate conversation, they record or screenshot the exchanges and use them for blackmail. They then impersonate police officers to add pressure and extract large sums.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Cyber Crimes, Hyderabad, issued the following public advisory. Do not accept friend requests from unknown persons on Facebook, Instagram or other platforms.
Do not engage in personal or intimate chats with unknown IDs. Never transfer money to unknown persons on any pretext.
Police will never demand money over the phone to settle any case. If anyone calls claiming to be a police officer and demands money, it is a fraud. Keep social media profiles private. Disconnect immediately if anyone threatens you with criminal cases.
Family members of elderly persons are urged to educate them about such frauds, monitor their online activity in a friendly manner and encourage them to report without hesitation.
Early reporting can help freeze fraudulent transactions. Victims can dial 1930 or visit cybercrime.gov.in for immediate assistance. (Maxim News)
Now you can get the latest stories from Indtoday on Telegram every day. Click the link to subscribe. Click to follow Indtoday’s Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram. For all the latest Hyderabad News updates and Follow us on GoogleNews
