Facebook Sextortion: Retired Man Loses ₹38 Lakh to Online Fraud
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