Bengaluru: A case of online sextortion targeting a 78-year-old man has been reported in Bengaluru, where a fraudster allegedly blackmailed the victim after initiating contact through social media. A complaint has been filed with the Bengaluru East Division Cybercrime Police, and an investigation is currently underway.
According to the complaint filed by a 46-year-old homemaker, the victim’s daughter-in-law, the accused woman contacted her elderly father-in-law through a Facebook profile using the name “Radhika Aggarwal.” After initial conversations on the platform, the accused shared a WhatsApp number and continued communicating with the victim through the messaging app.
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Friendly chats turned into sextortion
Police said the conversation reportedly began with casual and friendly chats. Over time, the interaction turned inappropriate, leading to intimate video calls between the accused and the elderly man.
The accused allegedly recorded these video calls and later began blackmailing the victim, demanding ₹2 lakh and subsequently increasing the amount while threatening to expose the recordings.
Fake social media account used for threats
According to the complaint, the accused also created a fake Instagram account impersonating the victim. The fraudster allegedly added several of the victim’s family members to the account and threatened to circulate the private photos and videos publicly in order to defame him.
The family stated that the incident caused serious emotional distress, particularly because of the victim’s advanced age.
Family approaches police
Since the elderly victim was unable to approach the police personally, his daughter-in-law lodged the complaint with the cybercrime police. She requested authorities to trace the accused and take strict legal action against those involved in the sextortion attempt.
Investigation underway
Police officials said they are currently trying to trace the suspect through call records and digital evidence. Investigators are examining the WhatsApp number, social media accounts, and other technical details to identify the person behind the fraud.
Authorities have also advised citizens to remain cautious while interacting with strangers on social media and to report any such incidents immediately to cybercrime authorities.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
