A disturbing Instagram love fraud and blackmail case has surfaced in Belagavi, Karnataka, as of early April 2026. A young woman has accused a man she met on Instagram of engaging in a romantic relationship under the guise of marriage, only to later blackmail her, extort money, and sexually exploit her.
Key Details of the Case
- Accused: Eshwar Singh Prem Singh Badgujar, a resident of Madhava Colony in Belagavi.
- The Scheme: The accused met the victim on Instagram and developed a romantic relationship, promising marriage.
- Blackmail and Extortion: The accused allegedly took private photos and videos of the woman, using them to blackmail her. He reportedly extracted 150 grams of gold jewellery and ₹19 lakh in cash, including her father’s fixed deposit (FD) money.
- Demand: The victim further alleged that the accused’s family demanded an additional ₹3 crore as a condition for the marriage, leading to complaints of cheating and sexual assault.
- Police Action: The Shahapur police arrested the accused following the victim’s complaint, and an investigation is ongoing.
Related Crime Trends in Belagavi (2026)
- Digital Arrest Scams: An 81-year-old businessman in Belagavi was cheated of over ₹15 crore between February and March 2026 by fraudsters posing as CBI officials.
- Honey-Trapping: A woman named Deepa Avadagi (33) was arrested in early February 2026 for a honey-trap racket, where she and her partner targetted wealthy men and businessmen through social media, leading to extortion.
