26-Year-Old Who Took His Life In Bengaluru Points To Online 'Sextortion' Racket

In March, a 26-year-old MBA took his life in Bengaluru and that has put the focus on what the police are calling 'sextortion' by organised gangs via social media accounts, as per Indian Express.

Avinash BS hanged himself on March 23. Many days later, an online gang got in touch with his elder sister through FB, without realising he was no more and asked for more money so a video would not be posted on the internet for all to see including friends and family.

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Murky details

Police believe that the family then realised that the reason for Avinash killing himself was because the gang was constantly blackmailing him on a video of his sexual conduct. It turned out he had borrowed almost Rs 35,000 to pay off the gang. A woman who identified herself as Neha Sharma got in touch with him on social media and allegedly made him perform sexual acts in front of the camera.

His sister lodged a complaint on April 3 with the KR Puram police station in the Whitefield division. She accused 5 people of extortion and abetment to suicide.

Sadly, this is not an isolated incident of people being blackmailed.

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¡°There is a full-fledged racket to carry out these extortions. Many of the gangs involved in online fraud seem to have switched over to this activity. Very few come forward to file complaints on account of fear of the stigma from the recordings going public ¡ª even if they are fake,¡± a cyber crime official said.

¡°Citizens are requested to exercise utmost caution while dealing with any stranger on social media and should make it a practice of using the privacy controls in mobile devices as well as in applications,¡± Karnataka CID ADGP Umesh Kumar said.

If you know anyone battling with depression or other mental health issues, please reach out to someone who can help.

AASRA Foundation: 022 2754 6669

Samaritans Mumbai: +91 84229 84528 / +91 84229 84529 / +91 84229 84530

Sanjivini Society for Mental Health: +911124311918