First you’ll be asked to do a video call; Haseena trapped more people? Crucial evidence gathered from phone

KOCHI: The police have received information that the honey trap gang, who were arrested for robbing and brutally beating a youth at a lodge, had allegedly attempted to trap more people. The evidence was gathered after examining the phones of the accused.

Messages, including those asking people to join video calls, were found. An investigation centered around mobile phones is underway. The accused have been identified as Haseena (28), her husband J Jithin (28) and S Anshad (26) of Umayanalloor, Kollam. Anas, one of the accused, has not been found yet.

The victim is a 34-year-old man who runs a home nursing firm in Thrippunithura. According to the accused’s statement, the stolen gold was sold at a jewellery in Kollam. The victim’s mobile was sold at a shop in Penta Menaka. The accused will be taken into custody for further interrogation.

The gang, who invited the youth to a lodge near Ernakulam General Hospital, had tied him to a chair, thrashed him and stole his gold chain, ring, a phone worth Rs 20,000 and Rs 5,000 cash. In addition, the youth was made to transfer Rs 15,000 to Haseena’s bank account via a mobile app. The accused were caught from Maradu with the help of the cyber cell.