Sextortion cases on the rise in Patna

PATNA: Be aware of the friendly voice on the other side of your phone, or a WhatsApp video call displaying nude photos, as you may get trapped into Sextortion. Recently, a Patna based 40-year-old man went into depression after becoming the victim of Sextortion. Such was the trauma that the victim switched off his phone and even stopped going to his office for several days.
"The woman first tried to do friendship with me and then things took nasty turn. Such was the trauma that I felt like committing suicide. I had no idea of what a Sextortion was, until I shared it with my boss, who asked me not to worry as nothing will happen," said Rohan (name changed) a driver by profession.

According to police sources, this form of cybercrime is increasing in the state with each passing day and the racket is being run from places like Rajasthan, Haryana and New Delhi. Be it any class of age group, the gang tries to trap all.
Economic offences unit ADG Nayyar Hasnain Khan said few cases had been reported in Patna, as well as the other parts of Bihar, however, many cases go unreported as the victims are afraid of their image in the society and reaction from their family.
"Initially, victims start giving money and this continues till the time it becomes unbearable for them," said Khan, adding "It all starts mainly with the video call and then threatening the victims of getting their illicit videos leaked on the social media.
In fact, there was a case when the gang involved in this crime called the victim saying he was from Delhi Police and a complaint had been lodged by women for sexually exploiting her and demanded money saying it was fine imposed on him."
Khan said they have even zeroed down in some cases and it was found that the gang was operating from Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan. He also talked about the involvement of some middleman from Bihar who could be passing the information about the victim.
Traffic SP Anil Kumar, who is holding the charge of Patna SSP, said though exact data is not available, but the cases of Sextortion have increased recently in Patna. "We are getting many complaints. We urge people to lodge a complaint in the initial stage only and not get trapped in their net and pay money," said Kumar.
He too added the conspiracy starts with simple hi and hello on WhatsApp and then moves further with the plan. "They try at least a thousand people and even if two of them respond, then there mission is successful," added Kumar.