Fashion designer held for honey-trap racket in Belagavi

Belagavi: Tilakwadi police here arrested a woman fashion designer allegedly involved in honey-trap operations targeting wealthy individuals in the city.The arrested accused is Deepa Avatagi, 33, a native of Mahalingpur. Her alleged associate, Shivanand Mathapati, a resident of Hukkeri taluk, is currently absconding. Police said Mathapati allegedly supplied information about affluent individuals to Avatagi.According to investigators, the accused befriended wealthy men through social media. After gaining their confidence, she allegedly lured them into intimate conversations before inviting them to meet at lodges in Belagavi.Police said that once the victim arrived at the lodge, the accused asked him to take a bath. When the victim entered the bathroom, she allegedly locked the door from the outside. Taking advantage of the situation, she then stole the victim's mobile phone, cash and car keys before fleeing the lodge.Investigators said CCTV cameras at the lodge captured footage of the accused arriving at the premises and later leaving hurriedly after committing the theft. After escaping, she allegedly contacted the victim from another phone number, demanding money and threatening to file a police complaint if he refused to pay.Based on a complaint, a case was registered at Tilakwadi police station. Acting under the leadership of inspector Parashuram Pujeri, a police team launched an investigation and succeeded in arresting the accused. She was later released on station bail.During the operation, police seized valuables worth approximately Rs 32.8 lakh from the accused. The recovered items include a Toyota Fortuner, a Maruti Suzuki S-Cross, 11 mobile phones, a tablet, a dongle, three car keys and Rs 14,000 in cash.Police said efforts are ongoing to trace and arrest the absconding accomplice. Further investigation is underway at Tilakwadi police station.