Infiltrating with charm: Rise of digital honey traps

THE SILENT SPY WAR

- Divya Kanwaliya

The recent arrest of social media influencer Jyoti Malhotra has pulled the veil off a growing and concerning dimension of modern espionage.

Known for her travel vlogs and online popularity, Malhotra, hailing from Haryana, now stands accused of spying for Pakistan—allegedly passing sensitive data through coded, encrypted messages to enemy handlers.

Her suspected involvement in espionage, particularly during key national operations, reflects a stark new reality: the theatre of spying is no longer confined to soldiers, scientists, or diplomats. It has infiltrated the digital lives of civilians, especially those with significant social reach.

When fame meets manipulation

What makes this case particularly alarming is the intersection between public influence and national vulnerability, which has been exposed now.