The Srinagar Police have successfully apprehended a notorious gang of four individuals involved in honey trapping and extortion activities in central Kashmir’s Srinagar district. The gang, which had been operating under the radar, used deceptive tactics to lure unsuspecting individuals and blackmail them for money.
According to an official statement released on the Srinagar Police’s Twitter handle, the four arrested members have been identified as Firdous Ahmed Mir from Rainawari, who posed as a fake Superintendent of Police (SP); Mohd Tariq Mir from Lal Bazar, who impersonated a fake reporter; Ashiya from Bemina, who acted as the pseudo honey trap girl; and Masrat Mir from Habba Kadal, who presented himself as a fake crime branch officer.
The modus operandi of the gang was centered around exploiting the trust of innocent individuals. The female member of the gang, Ashiya, would arrange meetings with the gullible targets, setting them up for extortion. Once the victims were ensnared, the other gang members would assume various professional personas such as reporters or police officers, leveraging their fake identities to intimidate and blackmail their prey.
The arrests were made following a thorough investigation into multiple complaints received by the police. Victims reported incidents of extortion and harassment, with the gang employing psychological manipulation to extract money from them. The gang’s activities were carried out with cunning precision, allowing them to evade suspicion until the police successfully tracked them down.
In a daring operation, the Srinagar Police managed to capture the gang members red-handed. Acting on intelligence and using surveillance techniques, the police raided a location in Mehjoor Nagar where they believed the female member of the gang resided. This house was identified as a key location used by the gang for their illicit operations.
Upon the successful raid, the police filed an FIR (First Information Report) under sections 392 (robbery), 472 (making or possessing counterfeit seal), and 419 (cheating by impersonation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at the Sadar Police Station.
Speaking on the arrest, Superintendent of Police (SP) of Srinagar, Mr. Rajesh Kumar, commended the efforts of his team in dismantling the honey trap gang. He urged the public to be vigilant and cautious, especially when interacting with strangers or unknown individuals online or in person.
The police have advised anyone who might have fallen victim to similar fraudulent activities to come forward and report their experiences. Cooperation from the public will aid in further investigations and may help uncover additional members of the gang, if any.
The Chenab Times News Desk