Two, impersonating cybercrime police, honeytrap private firm employee in Bengaluru; extort ₹1.5 lakh from victim

A city-based private firm employee, who booked an escort service online, was allegedly honey-trapped, and the accused extorted over ₹1.5 lakh from him.

Based on a complaint, the south east cyber crime police have registered an FIR against a woman charging her under the IT Act and also under Section 318 (cheating), 308 (extortion), and 319 (cheating by impersonation) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

According to the complaint, on Friday, the victim visited a website where he came across the profile of a woman named Anshi, who shared her mobile number offering escort service. After exchanging messages, they agreed to meet at a hotel in Koramangala, and he booked the room where she came and met him.

After asking about the services, the woman called someone who introduced himself as a cyber crime officer and said that the woman who had come to meet him was also an officer.

The man informed the victim that it was a sting, and that he could be booked under relevant sections which could attract six years of imprisonment.

When he tried to apologise, the man claimed that the charges would be dropped if he paid ₹5 lakh. The victim negotiated and brought down the amount to ₹3 lakh. The woman later shared the bank account details and scanner to transfer the money online. The victim transferred only ₹1.56 lakh through many online transfer attempts, while the rest of the transactions could not be completed as he exceeded his transaction limit.

The accused allegedly later took a video statement of the victim stating that he had availed escort service and assured to pay ₹3 lakh. The accused left the hotel room warning that the video will be uploaded on social media if he failed to pay.

The victim shared his ordeal with his friends who suggested he approach the police. The police have launched a search.