New Delhi: A 60-year-old retired state government employee from Bengaluru fell victim to a calculated honeytrap scheme, losing a staggering sum of over Rs 82 lakh. The elaborate extortion plot involved the manipulation of trust, deceit, and a series of threats, leading to the arrest of three individuals – Reena Annamma (40), Sneha (30), and Sneha’s husband Lokesh (26).
The complainant, Naresh (name changed), a resident of Srinagar, recounted his ordeal to Jayanagar police. He detailed how an acquaintance introduced him to Reena Annamma in April, appealing to his compassionate side by sharing that her young son was battling cancer. Naresh, moved by the story, initially extended financial assistance, giving Annamma Rs 5,000 after their meeting at a hotel.
However, this seemingly charitable connection took a sinister turn as Annamma systematically exploited Naresh’s generosity. She continued borrowing small sums under various pretexts, gradually ensnaring him into her web of deception. In May, Annamma lured Naresh to a hotel near Electronics City’s Huskur Gate, and here the plot escalated.
Allegedly, Annamma coerced Naresh into having sexual relations by resorting to threats, claims Naresh. Over several subsequent encounters at the same hotel, their relationship evolved, with Annamma introducing him to her associate, Sneha. This marked a critical juncture where the duo’s sinister intentions took center stage. Sneha, too, began borrowing money from Naresh, all while Annamma allegedly held the threat of revealing compromising videos of their private moments.
Subsequently, the coercion escalated as Sneha joined forces with Annamma to extort Naresh for an exorbitant Rs 75 lakh. Threatening to expose the videos to his family, Sneha sent him compromising clips on WhatsApp. Left with no choice, Naresh withdrew a hefty sum of Rs 82 lakh from his Provident Fund, transferring the amount to Annamma and Sneha. Disturbingly, they reportedly even threatened to harm his daughter should he disclose the extortion.
The ordeal worsened when the women demanded an additional Rs 42 lakh, prompting Naresh to approach the authorities finally. In a swift response, the police registered a case encompassing charges of extortion, criminal intimidation, and intentional insult with an intent to provoke a breach of peace.
P Krishnakant, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South), provided insights into the investigation. Three arrests were made, and approximately Rs 25 lakh was frozen in their bank account. Additionally, around 300 grams of gold jewelry was recovered. These three individuals, all hailing from Kodagu, had allegedly conducted similar schemes before, targeting unsuspecting men, yet no formal complaints had been lodged.
Lokesh, who is employed at an estate in Madikeri, Sneha, a mother to a one-year-old child, and Annamma, who claims to be widowed, formed this unholy alliance. Annamma reportedly adopted this dubious approach after the death of her husband, cultivating relationships with men only to exploit them. The police believe that Lokesh was an active participant in the criminal activities masterminded by the two women.
