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Instagram Scam: Teen Loses Lakhs to Blackmailer
15 Sep
Summary
- A 19-year-old lost over Rs 5.2 lakh due to blackmail.
- The scammer threatened to share an edited obscene photo.
- Payments were made via PhonePe to multiple QR scanners.
A distressing incident of online blackmail has led a 19-year-old youth in Mangaluru to lose a significant sum of money. The victim was targeted by an individual he connected with on Instagram, who posed as 'Jamshed.' This scammer prompted the victim to communicate via WhatsApp, demanding an initial payment of Rs 300, which was transferred through PhonePe.
The situation escalated when the accused began demanding further payments through different WhatsApp numbers. Upon the victim's refusal to comply, the scammer allegedly sent an edited, obscene photograph of the victim. The threat involved circulating this manipulated image among the victim's Instagram followers, causing immense fear.
Between June 19 and July 23, the victim succumbed to the blackmail, making numerous payments via PhonePe using QR scanners provided by the accused. In total, a staggering Rs 5,24,712 was allegedly siphoned from the victim's bank account. The CEN Crime police have registered a case and commenced an investigation into the elaborate online fraud.
