In a sharp display of tactical policing, the Lucknow Police rescued a 15-year-old girl who was kidnapped after being lured through Instagram with promises of easy money and popularity via reel-making assignments. Police turned the kidnappers’ own deception strategy against them, leading to the minor’s safe recovery and the arrest of two accused.
Lured by social media promises
According to police, the girl was contacted on Instagram by a group of adult men who offered her paid opportunities in short-form video content, assuring brand exposure, fast earnings and online fame. Trusting the claims, the teenager left home but did not return, prompting her family to file a missing complaint.
As investigators uncovered signs of coercion, the case was converted into a kidnapping probe. Initial leads were limited, pushing police to examine the girl’s social media activity more closely.
Police set digital counter-trap
Officers noticed the minor’s increasing engagement with reel-making content and devised a counter-strategy. Police created a fake Instagram profile posing as representatives of an event management company offering similar reel-making roles, including claims of lucrative foreign assignments.
The ploy worked. One of the accused re-established contact with the undercover profile, unaware he was interacting with police. Using this lead, officers tracked movements and communication patterns.
Two arrested, one absconding
ACP Mohanlalganj Vikas Pandey said two accused — Rohit Kumar (24) and Manish Rastogi (30) — were arrested late on December 21 and sent to jail. “The third accused, Ritik, is absconding. Teams have been deployed to trace him,” he said.
Police said the prime accused, Rohit alias Sohit, had initiated contact with the minor nearly two weeks before the incident, systematically gaining her trust with false assurances of work and income.
Girl safely recovered, probe continues
Sources said the girl was eventually released near Chowk after police widened their online outreach and contacted common profiles linked to the accused. In her statement, the minor alleged that she was sexually assaulted by the men after being lured away.
An FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and provisions of the POCSO Act. Police said counselling and medical support have been arranged for the survivor.
The case has renewed concerns over social media exploitation of minors and underlined the need for digital awareness among parents and teenagers.