Unfriended and unchained: Instagram date costs Kerala youth his gold and phone

THRISSUR: The Peechi police have arrested a 25-year-old woman for allegedly luring a man she met on social media to a secluded location and robbing him of his gold ornaments and mobile phone. The accused has been identified as Hamishadas, a resident of Venkitangu, Pavaratty.

According to police, the incident occurred on June 26. The accused had befriended a youth from Chelakkara via Instagram and convinced him to meet at the Peechi Dam. Upon his arrival, she directed him to the parking area of the dam. Once there, she reportedly snatched the four-pavan gold chain the victim was wearing. When the victim attempted to resist the theft, the woman allegedly threatened to raise a false alarm to incite the local crowd against him, before stealing his mobile phone and fleeing the scene.

Following a complaint filed by the victim, the Peechi police registered a case and initiated an investigation. Utilising technical assistance from the police cyber cell, investigators successfully tracked the suspect’s location to Kadavanthra in Ernakulam. A police team subsequently apprehended her from the area.

The operation was conducted by a team from the Peechi Police Station, including Sub-Inspector Jino Peter, Assistant Sub-Inspector Geetha, and Civil Police Officer Nidheesh. The accused is currently in custody, and further investigations are underway.