A shocking honeytrap and extortion conspiracy targeting a local village head (Sarpanch) has come to light within the Gudamalani police station jurisdiction of Balotra district. The victim was allegedly manipulated through the social media platform Instagram, lured to a meeting location, and subsequently blackmailed using illicitly recorded videos and photographs for an extortion demand of Rs 50 lakh. Following a formal criminal complaint lodged by the Sarpanch, local authorities registered a case against three individuals, including a female suspect, and launched a comprehensive investigation.
Social Media Contact and the August 15 Trap
According to the details provided in the police report by the victimized Sarpanch, the chain of events originated from interactions on Instagram. After establishing online familiarity, the perpetrators gained the victim's trust and invited him to meet in person. The Sarpanch alleged that the encounter was arranged for August 15 at a location known as Ramji Ki Gol. Upon his arrival, the conspirators executed their predetermined scheme by entrapping the Sarpanch in a compromise setup involving a woman.
The victim stated in his complaint that the accused secretly filmed explicit videos and captured compromising photographs of the encounter. Immediately afterward, the group began coercing the Sarpanch by threatening to broadcast the recordings and ruin his reputation. The complaint further alleges that the perpetrators wielded a firearm during the confrontation, placing the victim under severe duress at gunpoint to force his compliance with their extortion demands.
Extortion Demands, Digital Transfers, and Signed Blank Cheque
Immediately after staging the honeytrap, the blackmails demanded a massive sum of Rs 50 lakh from the Sarpanch. Fearing public humiliation and immediate bodily harm, the victim was forced to concede to instant financial transfers at the scene. As detailed in the official FIR, the accused forcibly extorted Rs 83,000 in physical currency directly from the victim.
Furthermore, the perpetrators compelled the Sarpanch to execute a digital payment of Rs 90,000 using the PhonePe application to transfer funds into designated accounts. To ensure continued leverage for future financial demands, the conspirators also forced the Sarpanch to sign a blank cheque under threat of the firearm. Despite extracting Rs 1,73,000 in immediate assets alongside the signed cheque, the blackmailers continued pressing for the remaining balance of Rs 50 lakh, driving the victim to approach law enforcement authorities.
Police Investigation and Scope of Inquiry
Recognizing the severity of the offense, the Gudamalani police registered a formal case against the named female suspect and her two male accomplices. Law enforcement officials have initiated a multi-faceted inquiry covering several technical and physical aspects of the crime. Investigators are currently extracting digital evidence from Instagram communication logs, call detail records (CDR), and financial transaction trails left by the PhonePe transfer.
Additionally, police teams are conducting field verifications around Ramji Ki Gol to reconstruct the timeline of August 15. The bank account details associated with the signed blank cheque and the background profiles of the accused persons are also being examined. Police authorities indicated that stringent legal action will follow as forensic and circumstantial evidence is consolidated.
