Cybercons traget advocate with obscene video to extort money

Indore: An advocate was targeted through a WhatsApp video call and later blackmailed with an edited obscene clip to extort money. The complainant approached MIG police station after receiving threats demanding money, where a case was registered.MIG police station in-charge CB Singh said the complainant received a video call on Friday from an unknown number. The caller, speaking in a woman's voice, claimed she wanted legal advice in connection with a case and began a conversation. During the call, the screen remained completely blurred, and the person on the other side was not visible. Within seconds, the call disconnected.Soon after, the same number sent an obscene video clip to him on WhatsApp. In the clip, a portion of his video was allegedly edited and merged with objectionable content. The accused also shared screenshots of his social media friend lists, threatening to circulate the morphed video among his contacts if money was not transferred.MIG police registered a case under provisions of the IT Act and other relevant sections against two unidentified mobile number holders.Additional DCP Rajesh Dandotiya said that a preliminary investigation revealed that the SIM cards used in the offence were issued from West Bengal. Efforts were underway to trace the accused.He said that sextortion is a form of cyber blackmail in which criminals coerce or threaten a person by using intimate images, videos, or sexual content against them. Fraudsters often lure victims through social media, dating apps, or fake profiles, or video call them randomly or encourage them to share private content and then threaten to make it public, share it with family, or post it online unless the victim pays money or complies with other demands.