Mangaluru: A 53-year-old man from Kerala, identified as Muhammad Ashraf Thavarakadan, who works in Saudi Arabia, has allegedly fallen victim to a honeytrap scam during his visit to Mangaluru in September 2024.

According to police sources, Ashraf had travelled to the coastal city for a marriage proposal when a group, including two individuals named Bashir and Safia, allegedly lured him under the pretext of meeting a prospective bride.

Photos, videos used to extort money

Investigators said the accused reportedly recorded compromising photos and videos of the victim and later threatened to leak them online unless he paid a large sum of money. Fearing defamation, Ashraf allegedly transferred ₹44.80 lakh to the group.

The victim later filed a complaint after realising he had been cheated. Based on his complaint, Vitla Police registered a case (Crime No.145/2025) under Sections 318(4), 308(2), 115(2), and 351(2) read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

Police begin search for accused

A police team has begun an investigation to trace the accused and recover the extorted money. “Preliminary inquiries suggest this group may be linked to a wider network operating similar scams targeting individuals through marriage proposals and social media,” a police official said.

The investigation is also exploring whether the accused had used fake matrimonial profiles or local intermediaries to trap unsuspecting victims.

Officials urge caution

Authorities have urged people, especially those returning from abroad for marriage proposals, to be vigilant about online interactions and to verify identities before engaging in personal meetings.

Cybercrime experts note that honeytrap scams are becoming increasingly common, with gangs using social media or matrimonial websites to identify financially stable individuals, record compromising visuals, and later demand money under threats of exposure.

Growing trend of honeytrap cases

Incidents of honeytrap scams have been reported from several districts of Karnataka and Kerala over the past year. Police warn that such gangs often work in coordination across state borders, using fake names and untraceable bank accounts.

The Vitla Police have said that further arrests are likely, and efforts are ongoing to freeze bank accounts linked to the suspects.