Nagpur: The alleged honeytrap attempt at a hotel in Sadar has brought on radar a syndicate comprising a bunch of women, who along with bouncers and male accomplices from Delhi, Noida, Haryana, Chandigarh and surrounding areas, allegedly lure men through dating apps. These women trap their prey at pre-decided bars, pubs, lounges and even resorts, where they are blackmailed to cough up huge amounts, in connivance with owners and managers. The man, who narrowly-missed getting duped at a hotel near LIC Chowk, told TOI these syndicates lure men, film them through hidden cameras and then slap them with inflated bills running into thousands of rupees. “When the victims protest, the gangs unleash threats of morphed photos going viral, false rape cases and family blackmail. What seems like a casual outing turns into a nightmare of financial and emotional extortion,” said the man who didn’t turn a victim as he refused to consume liquor.“After financially draining their prey, the women and the bouncers take cabs from 200 metres away from these dens and get down at the nearest square,” said the man who later followed two women and their bouncers.Sources said these gangs move from one metro city to another across India. They flee the place if there is any chance of getting exposed or caught.Sadar police station have arrested a waiter-cum-bouncer and owner of the bar and restaurant near LIC Chowk. Several mobile phones, cash and other incriminating evidence have been seized from the waiter-cum-bouncer. Police are now scanning CCTV footage, WhatsApp chats and call records to trace more gang members.“The most common way to identify a honey-trapper is that they will always try to force their prey to come to their den, not anywhere else,” said the man adding, “Secondly, the honey-trappers would always want to induce their prey to consume liquor or sedatives.”Sources said once at the location, the women order expensive food and drinks, besides engaging in friendly talks to lower resistance. Bouncers, often disguised as waiters or hotel staff, later mount pressure by presenting inflated bills.
