Man Honey Trapped To Make Nude Video Calls, Loses Rs 24 Lakh

VISAKHAPATNAM: The web of sextortion rackets is rapidly growing across India. The latest victim of this scam is a middle-aged man from Port City’s Vepagunta neighbourhood who was allegedly honey-trapped into going naked over a video call and blackmailed by scammers.

According to the police, the gang extorted Rs 24 lakh from the victim by threatening him of sharing his naked video with his family and friends.

Acting against his complaint, police have arrested Shaik Abdul Raheem (30) of Dabbakupalli in Krishna district, Gunda Jyothi (28), and Gunda Veera Satish (34) of Jeedimetla in Hyderabad for luring and blackmailing him.

Police have also recovered Rs 3.5 lakh in cash, a laptop, five smartphones, three basic phones, and three ATM cards from the accused’ possession.

On July 16, the complainant received a message from an unknown bulk SMS number saying, ‘Call me any time, I am your best friend to talk’. When he dialled the number, he was given a female phone number to contact. The female asked him to make a nude video call, and the complainant believed her words and made a nude video call.

The next day, the gang members began threatening the complainant by sending screenshots of nude video calls and demanding money; fearful, the complainant deposited nearly Rs 24 lakh into various bank accounts provided by the accused. Even after having paid the money, the accused demanded more. Tired of their threats the victim approached the police and got his complaint registered.