Ahmedabad, October 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Local Crime Branch (LCB) of Ahmedabad Police has arrested a 39-year-old man for allegedly honey-trapping an older man through Facebook and extorting Rs 24 lakh from him in instalments by threatening to implicate him in false cases, police said on Wednesday.
The accused has been identified as Alpesh Solanki, a resident of Thikvadi village in Botad district. Police arrested him with Rs 1 lakh in cash, allegedly collected from the complainant during the latest extortion attempt.
The case came to light on the night of October 5, when Anandnagar Police Station received a control-room message that a gang had allegedly blackmailed an older man and his son and taken Rs 1 lakh from them in a black bag.
Police were informed that a man wearing black trousers and a white checked shirt had fled from Pakwan Char Rasta with the money. Following the alert, senior officers directed teams to take immediate action.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-7) Shivam Verma ordered a special operation and strict naka-bandi in the area to identify and apprehend those involved.
LCB Zone-7 teams, led by Police Sub-Inspector H.D. Vaghela, conducted intensive patrolling and vehicle checks along the SG Highway. Acting on specific information, police located a man matching the description hiding under the Karnavati Bridge with a black bag.
Solanki was apprehended and Rs 1 lakh in cash was recovered from his possession.
During questioning, police alleged that Solanki and his associates had contacted the complainant through Facebook and honey-trapped him. They allegedly threatened to implicate him in false cases and, as part of a planned conspiracy, extorted Rs 24 lakh from him in instalments.
Police further said the gang had demanded another Rs 7 lakh during the latest episode. The complainant allegedly became suspicious and contacted the police, following which Solanki was arrested with Rs 1 lakh.
Two other accused, Kishan alias Kanu Parmar, a resident of Morarinagar-1 on Targhada Road in Botad, and Lalo, a resident of Panadara village in Kadi taluka of Mehsana district, are yet to be arrested. Police said efforts to trace them are underway.
The police seized two bundles of Rs 500 notes totalling Rs 1 lakh, a black bag and a mobile phone valued at Rs 5,000. The total value of the seized property was assessed at Rs 1.05 lakh.
Police advised people to exercise caution before accepting friend requests from unknown persons on social media and while communicating with strangers online. They also appealed to anyone facing blackmail or similar extortion demands to approach the nearest police station.
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