Nude Video Blackmail: Ahmedabad Youth Loses Rs 50 Lakh After Threat of Viral Clip

Ahmedabad: A shocking case of cyber fraud has come to light in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. A 26-year-old youth living in Vadaj area lost about Rs 49.78 lakh after falling into the trap of a sextortion gang. The matter started with a video call from an unknown number. As soon as the call was picked up, a girl appeared on the screen in an objectionable condition. The young man immediately disconnected the call and blocked the number, but after this the thugs continuously extorted money from him by making the video viral and threatening him with arrest. 

How did the whole thing start?

The incident is said to have happened on the night of 3 September. A young man working in a private company was using his mobile at home when he received a video call on WhatsApp from an unknown number. On receiving the call, a girl was seen in an objectionable condition. The young man disconnected the call without talking and blocked the number. After some time the call came again. This time the callers claimed that the youth's video had been recorded and if he did not pay the money, it would be made viral on social media.

How did you get implicated again after three weeks?

According to the young man, the matter remained quiet for some time, but after about three weeks on September 27, he again got a call from an unknown number. The caller introduced himself as Sanjay Arora, an officer of Delhi Cyber ​​Crime Branch. He threatened the young man with arrest and imprisonment for up to seven years for the crime related to the alleged video. To reassure the nervous young man, he was made to talk to another person, who introduced himself as YouTube official Hemant Malhotra. 

Why ask for money in the name of removing the video?

The alleged YouTube official told the youth that two objectionable videos had surfaced in his name and he would have to pay Rs 71,250 to remove them. After this the thugs started demanding money from him on different pretexts. Sometimes the threat of arrest was shown and sometimes the video was made public and threats of loss of job and career were given. Due to constant pressure, the young man kept agreeing to their talks and kept transferring money to different bank accounts.

Why did the demand not stop even after taking 50 lakhs?

The thugs gradually transferred a total of Rs 49.78 lakh from the young man. Even after receiving such a huge amount, his demand did not stop. After this the young man suspected that he had become a victim of some organised cyber fraud. He lodged a complaint with the Ahmedabad Cyber ​​Crime Branch. Police are now investigating the bank accounts and transactions through which the money was transferred. Investigation is also being done to trace the accused and their network.

How to avoid sextortion?

In such cases, cybercriminals often use video calls, morphed videos or recordings to defame the victim and try to extort money. CERT-In has also included sextortion among the emerging methods of online blackmailing. It is important not to accept video calls from any unknown person, not to transfer money if threatened and to immediately contact cybercrime helpline 1930 or the police.