82 sovereigns of gold, three luxury cars, expensive jeep and bullet; honey trap couple extorts elderly man of Rs 2.5 crore to lead luxury life

THRISSUR: A couple has been arrested for duping a native of Poonkunnam in Thrissur of Rs 2.5 crore through a honey trap. The arrested have been identified as Sojan (32), a native of Kollam, and Shemi (38), a native of Karunagappally. The old man, who is a trader, was trapped in the honey trap through WhatsApp.

The accused were arrested from Angamaly during the investigation conducted by Thrissur West police on the complaint lodged by the old man. Police have seized three luxury cars, an expensive jeep and a bullet from them. Shemi met the old man through social media two years ago. West police CI Lalkumar, who investigated the case, said that Shemi had created an intimacy by saying that she was not married and used to talk to the elderly man through video calls.

Shemi introduced herself as a 23-year-old woman staying in a hostel in Ernakulam. Shemi took the money at various stages and when asked for it to be paid back, she threatened the old man by pointing out video calls. The police also recovered 82 sovereigns of gold purchased using the fraudulent money. The accused told the police that the money received through the honey trap was used to lead a luxurious life.