Hyderabad: A man was arrested by the Rachakonda police on Tuesday for cheating as many as 20 women through social networking site — Facebook.

According to the police, Rangaswamy, a native of Anantapur district, had been residing in Hyderabad for the past few years. Rangaswamy, who was a school dropout, used to lure women on social networking sites. He would, later, meet them in person on the pretext of love. After gaining their trust, he would dupe them by making away with jewellery and money.

The victims are residents of Nacharam, Lalapet and Lalaguda in Secunderabad, police said. Almost all of them, who were trapped by him, were job holders in MNC companies, the police said.

"The victims often do not lodge a complaint out of fear and embarrassment," police said. However, the police registered a case after one of the victims filed a complaint alleging that Rangaswamy cheated her and made away with money on the pretext of marrying her.

The victim mentioned in her complaint that the accused tried to molest and rape her on various occasions. Following the complaint, the police formed teams and swung into action. The police said that Rangaswamy has several cases of theft and murder registered against him. He had served a jail term, earlier.