Police have arrested five individuals, including two women, for their involvement in a honey-trap scam targeting men and extorting large sums of money. The accused have been identified as Saniya (23), Irfan (27), Rahish (48), Fareed (27), and Reshma (45), officials said on Thursday.
According to the police, Saniya was the mastermind behind the operation, luring victims to meet her in person and subsequently extorting money from them. The scam came to light on September 11, when Arif, a resident of Nuh, filed a complaint with the police.
Arif claimed that Saniya had contacted him in February 2024, often talking about being a victim of domestic violence. On February 23, she called him, pleading for help, claiming her husband was beating her. Arif, along with a friend, went to meet her near Ballabgarh, where Saniya led him to a secluded area in Nekpur village. There, she allegedly coerced Arif into physical relations.
As per the complaint, during this encounter, Saniya’s husband Salim and his associates arrived at the scene, threatening to accuse Arif of violating her modesty unless he paid them. Fearing public humiliation, Arif handed over a total of Rs 3.51 lakh to the group. He later discovered that his friend Kale, also known as Mubarik, who had given him Saniya’s number, was part of the same gang.
Following Arif’s complaint, an FIR was filed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police arrested Saniya, Irfan, and Rahish on September 14. Reshma was arrested on September 15, and Fareed on September 17, police said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Hemender Kumar Meena stated that three other members of the gang had previously been arrested for extorting Rs 1 lakh from a dhaba owner in Sector 58. Authorities are continuing to interrogate the suspects and identify additional victims of the honey-trap scheme.