Bareilly, February 14: The Bareilly police have dismantled a honey-trap syndicate following the arrest of a 37-year-old woman on Saturday. The accused is alleged to have extorted ₹10 lakh from a local resident by threatening to frame him in a fraudulent sexual assault case. The arrest was made by a team from the Prem Nagar police station following a formal complaint lodged by the victim, identified as Manish Gangwar, a resident of Indranagar.

According to police officials, the accused, identified as Pooja Sharma, allegedly targeted Gangwar by initiating a close personal relationship. Once a level of intimacy was established, the nature of their interactions shifted toward coercion. Investigators stated that Sharma began blackmailing Gangwar, demanding large sums of money. To ensure compliance, she reportedly threatened to file a police complaint alleging rape if her financial demands were not met. Under duress and fearing social stigma and legal repercussions, the victim reportedly handed over ₹10 lakh to the accused before eventually approaching the authorities. Anshika Singh Arrested in Gorakhpur: How Did Police Uncover the Modus Operandi of a Digital Honey Trap and Blackmail Network?.

Acting on Gangwar’s complaint, the Prem Nagar police conducted a preliminary probe and moved to apprehend Sharma. A senior police official stated that the accused was arrested on Saturday following a detailed investigation into the allegations of extortion and criminal intimidation. The police are currently investigating whether Sharma acted alone or is part of a larger organized network operating in the region. Authorities have indicated that they are examining the woman's call records and financial transactions to identify potential accomplices or other victims who may have been targeted using similar tactics. Arohi Mim to Fatima Jatoi: 'Leaked Viral Video Links' Are Honey Traps for Indians?.

A case has been registered against the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to extortion and criminal intimidation. Sharma was produced before a local court and has been remanded to judicial custody. Police have urged citizens to remain vigilant against such scams and to report any instances of blackmail immediately to the nearest station.