MUMBAI: Aarey Police have arrested four people, including a woman, for allegedly honey-trapping and robbing a 45-year-old businessman of gold ornaments worth ₹5 lakh in Aarey Colony, Goregaon East. The arrests were made within 24 hours of the FIR despite unclear CCTV grabs, following an extensive scan of footage from 17 surveillance cameras.
Businessman lured to Aarey Colony
According to the complaint filed at Aarey Police Station, the businessman from Deonar was preparing to return home on 23 November when a woman he had recently befriended persuaded him to accompany her to Aarey Colony. Police said she coordinated with an auto-rickshaw driver to bring him to a desolate stretch behind Aarey Dairy.
As the two arrived at the spot, two bike-borne accomplices were waiting. The assailants allegedly threw chilli powder into the businessman’s eyes and forcibly snatched his gold chain valued at ₹5 lakh. The group then fled the scene before the victim could raise an alarm.
CCTV clue leads to breakthrough
Shocked by the attack, the businessman approached Aarey Police, who immediately launched a search operation. Though the CCTV footage from the area was blurry, officers scanned 17 cameras along possible routes used by the suspects.
Police eventually traced the movements of the woman and the two riders, piecing together their identities using partial visuals and on-ground intelligence.
Four accused taken into custody
Within 24 hours, police arrested all four suspects involved in the honey-trap and robbery. The woman was identified as Shahrin Qureshi (24). Her accomplices were named as Vishal Wagh (27), Namesh Surve (23) and Jehangir Qureshi (25).
During background checks, investigators found that Vishal Wagh had a criminal history and had been booked in five separate cases by Dombivali police between 2019 and 2020, including theft and robbery. Police said his past record helped officers narrow down possible escape routes and contacts.
Victim recounts ordeal
The businessman reportedly told police that the attack was sudden and disorienting due to the chilli powder assault, leaving him nearly blind for several minutes. He said he suspected the woman only after finding himself stranded in a deserted stretch of Aarey Colony.
Police officials stated that the honey-trap technique, in which criminals use a woman to lure a target to an isolated location, has seen a rise in recent years. The Aarey Police have urged residents to exercise caution, particularly when interacting with unfamiliar individuals.
Investigation continues
Police are probing whether the same gang has been involved in similar robberies in the past. Officers believe more victims may come forward following the arrests. The stolen gold chain is yet to be recovered, and search efforts are underway to trace the jewellery.
Authorities said strict action would be taken under charges of criminal conspiracy, assault, wrongful restraint, and robbery. All four accused remain in custody and will be produced before the court.
Conclusion
The swift arrests highlight the Aarey Police’s rapid response and surveillance-led investigation, ensuring that the perpetrators were caught before they could flee the city. The case also reinforces concerns over honey-trapping operations targeting unsuspecting individuals in isolated pockets of Mumbai.