Mumbai: A 74-year-old businessman from Delhi was allegedly caught in a honeytrap, blackmailed and extorted for Rs 18 lakh by a woman in Mumbai. The Malvani Police have registered a case of extortion and launched a search for the accused, who is currently on the run. Authorities suspect that she had an accomplice in the crime.
According to the complaint filed on Friday, the victim, who is associated with the medical field, was introduced to the accused through an acquaintance. The acquaintance suggested that he seek female companionship and provided him with the contact number of a woman named Reshma alias Pannu Singh, claiming she could arrange a suitable match.
Victim Developed Close Ties With Accused Woman Soon
Singh initially showed the victim photographs of several women and even set up meetings, but he did not express interest in any of them. In March 2023, Singh introduced him to a married woman from Malvani, whose photo he liked. By May 2023, he travelled from Delhi to Mumbai specifically to meet her. They met at a resort in Malad, developed a close friendship, and later spent time together at a hotel in Goa, strengthening their bond.
Over time, the woman began demanding large sums of money. She first asked the victim to buy her a luxury apartment worth Rs 4 crore, but he refused. Later, she invited him to meet in Malad East, where she suddenly filed a false rape complaint against him at Dindoshi Police Station. Using this complaint as leverage, she blackmailed him and managed to extort Rs 18.5 lakh over a year, reporte Lokmat Times.
Victim Approaches Cops After Realising It Was A Scam
The scam came to light when the victim received a call from an unknown woman, who claimed to have evidence proving that he had been trapped in a honeytrap. She also provided audio recordings of conversations between the accused and her associates. After listening to the recordings, the victim realized that he had been set up.
He then approached Malvani Police, submitting all the evidence. A case of extortion has been registered against the accused woman, but she remains absconding. The police are currently conducting search operations to locate her and any accomplices involved in the scheme.
