This story is from September 25, 2018

ATS email, helpline to rescue ‘honey-trapped’

ATS email, helpline to rescue ‘honey-trapped’
Picture for representational purpose only,
LUCKNOW: Following arrest of a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan who was honeytrapped by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and had shared sensitive security information, Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (UPATS) has launched a helpline and email-id for those who have been similarly trapped on social media and networking sites.
UP ATS officials said that the woman who trapped Mishra has around 90 other Indians among her Facebook friends.
The list includes people from UP, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Assam and other states. The officials said that people serving in the Army, police, in private jobs and even youths figure in the list of her friends.
Earlier, on September 19, BSF jawan Achutanand Mishra was arrested by UP ATS from Delhi on charges of sending photos, videos of 3D model of BSF Academy, arms and ammunition on WhatsApp to a woman claiming to be a defence reporter. The woman was an ISI agent.
IG ATS Asim Arun said that many cases of honeytrap by ISI have been reported earlier too and agencies are keeping a tab on suspect social media profiles.
“The para-military forces have also issued guidelines to staff on not chatting or sharing photos, videos with strangers on social media sites,” added Arun.
Few months ago, a cook Ramesh Singh who worked in Indian embassy at Islamabad was also found to have been ‘honey-trapped’ by ISI.
“As a result, we decided to help officials, army and security personnel and youths who are trapped and later blackmailed to share vital information. We have a dedicated email id — igatsup@gov.in — and helpline number 9792103082, to help such individuals,” added Arun.

Those who come to know about any such cases or those who get friend requests from such profiles where women approach and seek information can approach us.
“It is a 24X7 helpline and I will personally monitor it,” said Arun.
The identity of those informing us about suspicious people and profiles will be kept a secret.
Few days ago, UP ATS officials had tracked a 19-yearold youth from Alwar, Rajasthan, who had been befriended on Facebook by the same woman defence correspondent. She had asked the youth to provide information about deployment of forces in the region and had offered Rs 4,000.
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