Sextortion has become a significant cybercrime in the state, mostly affecting working people, retirees, and elderly citizens. According to reports, scammers extorted victims out of almost Rs 1.5 crore last year. The majority of victims are guys who are enticed by audio and video conversations or social networking sites.
By seeming to be friends, the scammers first win the victim’s trust. After that, they capture conversations on audio or video, which they subsequently use to intimidate the victims. Threatening to share these videos with the victim’s family or post them on public forums, scammers demand money.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) State CID Cybercrime Mohit Chawla highlighted that retirees are particularly vulnerable due to their increased online presence. “Retired individuals often spend more time on social media, making them easy targets for deceptive messages and links. Scammers also monitor their activities, such as vacation or party photos, to assess their financial status,” said Chawla.
He clarified that after being discovered, these people are forced to pay in order to prevent being defamed. “In most cases, victims agree to pay out of fear of public embarrassment,” he added.
DIG Chawla cautioned consumers against answering calls, clicking on unexpected websites, or replying to messages from strangers in order to stop these types of crimes. He advised minimizing the exposure of personal updates and stressed the need for prudence while disclosing private information on social media.
For quick action, victims of sextortion or any other cybercrime are encouraged to report incidences right away by contacting the toll-free helpline at 1930. Residents of the state are seriously at risk from the growth in cybercrime cases brought on by social media and technological improvements. The need for greater awareness and vigilance is shown by the 350 or so reports of various cybercrimes that the state cyber unit now gets each month.
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