An Ahmedabad resident, aged 25, fell victim to a sophisticated cyber extortion scheme, losing over Rs 49 lakh. The incident commenced on September 3, when he received a WhatsApp video call from an unknown number. Upon answering, he was confronted with the shocking image of a nude woman, which prompted him to disconnect the call immediately.

Following his swift reaction, the man opted to block the number. However, he subsequently received another call from a different unknown number, where the caller claimed that a video had been recorded featuring his image and threatened to release it unless a substantial sum was transferred to their bank account.

Despite disconnecting the call once again and blocking the number, the man received another message, which included a recorded video that he later deleted. This initial episode marked the beginning of an extensive and distressing period of harassment.

Escalation of Threats and Fraudulent Claims

On September 27, the situation escalated when he was contacted again by a caller purporting to be Sanjay Arora, an officer from the Delhi Cyber Crime Branch. This individual further instilled fear in the victim by discussing the alleged existence of the nude video and threatening police action, stating that such offences could lead to a seven-year prison term.

Under duress, the complainant was informed that he needed to collaborate with a so-called YouTube representative to complete a so-called “due process” to avoid arrest. This linked him to another individual who claimed to be a YouTube executive, further perpetuating the elaborate ruse.

The fraudster told the victim that two nude videos had allegedly surfaced and demanded Rs 71,250 for their deletion. Fearing repercussions and the potential dissemination of the supposed videos, the victim agreed to comply with the demand, believing it was his only option to stop the scandal.

Continued Demands and Realisation of Fraud

After the initial payment, the scammers continued to make further financial demands, each time providing different justifications. The individual faced relentless threats regarding the potential release of the video that would tarnish his reputation and jeopardise his career.

Pushed into a corner by these threats and fearing for his future, the man complied with the repeated requests, ultimately transferring a total of Rs 49.78 lakh to the accounts provided by the scammers over multiple interactions.

It wasn’t until he realised that the threats were unfounded and that he had become a victim of fraud that he decided to approach the Cyber Crime Branch. Investigators are currently analysing the bank accounts involved in the fund transfers, aiming to uncover the extent of the operation and identify the individuals behind this cybercrime.

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