Woman Held For Luring Men Through Social Media, Robbing Them In Lodges

Belagavi: The 33-year-old woman, who allegedly lured men through social media, took them to hostels and took away their belongings, was arrested by the Tilakwadi police.

The accused has been identified as Deepa Mahaling Avatagi (33), a native of Bagalkot district and currently residing in Sankeshwar town of Hukkeri taluk.

Explaining the modus operandi, City Police Commissioner Bhushan Gulabrao Borase told reporters that Deepa’s accomplice Shivanand identified potential targets through social media or in public places. He would share the targets’ contact information with the woman, and she would initiate online conversations with them.

“He would befriend targets through messages and sometimes engage in frank conversations with them before inviting them to a hostel. When the victim entered the room, he would ask them to freshen up and lock the door from the outside before grabbing his belongings and running away,” the commissioner said.

Valuables worth around Rs 32.86 lakh, including 11 mobile phones, a tablet, Rs 14,000 cash and two cars, were seized from his possession.

The woman’s accomplice, Shivanand alias Vinod Shankrayya Matapati, a resident of Sankeshwar, is currently absconding and efforts are on to find him.

A case was filed against him in May 2025, when the police searched for him. Meanwhile, another complaint was made against him in January 2026.

Police also warned people not to interact with unknown people on social media or respond to offers of escort services, noting that such encounters could lead to theft or misuse of private moments through hidden cameras.