Thiruvananthapuram: A 19-year-old woman and her accomplice were arrested by Sreekaryam police on Tuesday in connection with a honey-trap case in which a youth was lured through Instagram, assaulted and robbed of cash and valuables. The accused have been identified as Surya, a native of Chellamangalam in Sreekaryam, and Kailas (20), from Pappanamcode. Police said they targeted a 19-year-old from Keezhthonnakkal, and extorted cash and gold from him. According to investigators, Surya befriended the victim on Instagram and invited him to Pangappara on April 18. When he reached the location, he was intercepted by a group of men allegedly linked to her. They forced him onto a scooter and took him to a secluded pond area near Sangeetha Nagar, close to the Pangappara Health Centre. Police said the victim was assaulted at the spot. He was beaten and struck on the head with a beer bottle, sustaining injuries. The accused then snatched his mobile phone and forced him to transfer Rs 10,000 from his bank account through a mobile banking app. He was also coerced into sending Rs 2,500 to another number. After the assault and extortion, the accused abandoned the victim and fled. Based on his complaint, Sreekaryam police launched a probe and tracked down the suspects. Both were arrested and later produced before a court, which remanded them to judicial custody for 14 days. Police said efforts are under way to identify and apprehend other accomplices involved in the case.
