23-Year-Old Merchant Navy Officer Falls Victim to Sextortion in Mumbai
Mumbai, 22nd May 2025: A 23-year-old Merchant Navy officer from Bandra has become the latest victim of sextortion, after being blackmailed for Rs 30,000 by unidentified individuals who recorded an obscene video during a manipulated video call.
According to the Bandra police, the young man befriended a woman who had sent him a friend request via WhatsApp on Sunday. Lured by a display picture of a seemingly attractive young woman, the complainant engaged in conversation, which quickly progressed to Telegram and WhatsApp chats.
The next day, during a video call, the woman undressed on camera and encouraged the man to perform an obscene act, which was secretly recorded. Soon after, the victim received threatening calls from an unknown number demanding Rs 30,000, failing which the video would be made public.
Despite repeated threats over two days, the man refused to pay. On Monday, the blackmailers posted the explicit video on Instagram, prompting the youth to approach the police.
The Bandra police have registered a case under Sections 67 and 67(A) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act. Investigations are underway to trace the accused.
Sextortion, a growing cybercrime trend, typically starts with friend requests from strangers on social media. Victims are lured into private chats, video calls, and eventually manipulated into compromising situations, which are recorded and used for extortion.
Cyber experts warn that paying the ransom rarely ends the exploitation, and instead often leads to repeated demands. Authorities urge the public, especially youth, to exercise caution when interacting online, and to avoid engaging in private or explicit exchanges with unknown individuals.
