In a disturbing case of online harassment, police in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, arrested a man who allegedly used a woman’s photos to create a fake social media account and later blackmailed her for money. The incident highlights a growing threat in the digital age: identity theft used as a tool for extortion.
The case has raised alarms across the region, with authorities urging citizens to take stronger steps to protect their personal information online.
The Scam: A Familiar Face, a Fake Profile
The accused reportedly downloaded photographs of the woman, a resident of Itanagar, and used them to create a fake account on a popular social media platform. Posing as her, he reached out to her contacts and shared manipulated content intended to damage her reputation.
As the impersonation grew more serious, the accused allegedly began blackmailing the woman directly — threatening to release false or damaging material unless she paid a sum of money.
The victim, shocked and distressed, approached the Itanagar police, prompting a cyber investigation.
Swift Police Action Leads to Arrest
Based on the woman’s complaint, police tracked the IP address and phone number linked to the fake account. Within days, they zeroed in on a 30-year-old suspect from the area. A raid was conducted and the accused was taken into custody on June 30.
Officers seized his mobile phone and other digital evidence, including chat histories and screenshots of the fake profile. He is currently in police custody and is being interrogated further to determine whether others were involved or if he targeted other victims in a similar manner.
Legal Charges and Digital Crime Warnings
The accused has been charged under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including identity theft, criminal intimidation, and extortion. If convicted, he may face several years of imprisonment, along with financial penalties.
Officials have said this is not an isolated case — online impersonation and image-based blackmail are on the rise, especially with increasing smartphone and internet penetration in smaller cities.
Police also pointed out that many victims hesitate to report such crimes due to social stigma, which allows perpetrators to continue unchecked.
Officials Urge Vigilance Against Digital Abuse
In the aftermath of the arrest, the Capital Police issued a public advisory urging people to strengthen their digital security. Citizens were advised to:
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Keep social media accounts private
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Avoid sharing personal photos with strangers
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Enable two-factor authentication
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Report suspicious messages or accounts immediately
They also encouraged victims of cybercrime to come forward without fear, promising swift and confidential action.