A stranger — usually an attractive profile on Facebook, Instagram, or a dating app — initiates a friendship. After gaining trust, they initiate a video call and convince the victim to undress or perform acts on camera. The call is being recorded. They then demand money (₹5,000–₹50,000+) to delete the recording, threatening to send it to family and contacts.
Why Paying Is The Worst Thing You Can Do: Payment proves you're willing to pay and that you're scared. It never ends — demands escalate. Scammers keep the video regardless.
What to Do:
- Stop all contact immediately. Block on all platforms.
- Do NOT pay — it will never stop.
- Screenshot evidence of threats and the profile.
- Report to cybercrime.gov.in and call 1930.
- Report the profile on the platform — it gets removed.
- Tell a trusted adult or counsellor.
An attractive person builds a romantic relationship with the victim over weeks or months online. Once emotional attachment is formed, they either: (a) ask for money citing an emergency, (b) involve a fake "boyfriend/brother" who threatens to report a supposed crime unless paid, or (c) suddenly appear as a couple threatening to share intimate messages publicly.
Red Flags: Profile photos are too perfect (reverse image search them). Never willing to video call. Relationship escalates unusually fast. Early emotional declarations. Any mention of money = scam.
Following a sextortion or compromising situation, a second person contacts the victim claiming to be a "cybercrime officer" who has received a complaint. They offer to "close the case" for ₹10,000–₹1 lakh. This is a second layer of the same scam.
Remember: Real police officers never contact you via WhatsApp or personal phones to settle cases for payment. The only legitimate contact is through official channels. Report this person too.