A police investigation is ongoing after cybercriminals used the fear of a POCSO case to extort money by pretending to be a lady and then the police.

A 70-year-old retired government employee in Hyderabad fell victim to a sextortion scam on Facebook, losing ₹38.73 lakh. The Cybercrime Police received a notification about the fraud this week, and they have opened an investigation and are looking into it.

Police claim that the victim accepted a friend request on Facebook from someone pretending to be a lady. She requested ₹10,000 for a Wi-Fi connection, claiming to come from a low-income household. Over time, the fraudsters extracted ₹10 lakh under the pretext of medical treatment.

Later, the scammers posed as police officers and sub-inspectors, accusing him of chatting inappropriately with a minor girl. They threatened to file a POCSO case unless he paid more money. The man paid several payments totalling ₹38.73 lakh out of fear of legal issues. When he realised it was a fraud, he went to the Hyderabad Cybercrime Police, who are currently looking into it.

Advice:

This example serves as a clear reminder of how online fraud uses fear-mongering and emotional manipulation.

Security Tips for Users:

• Never trust unknown friend requests on social media
• Avoid sharing personal or financial details online
• Do not engage in private chats with strangers
• If threatened online, report immediately to cybercrime.gov.in
• Consult family or police before making any online payments