Members of Sextortion Gang Duped Ayurvedic Doctor in East Delhis Khichripur Area

Members of a sextortion gang allegedly duped an Ayurvedic doctor of more than Rs 8 lakh in the name of deleting an obscene video of him in east Delhis Khichripur area.

New Delhi: An Ayurvedic doctor in East Delhi's Khichripur area fell victim to a sextortion scam, losing over Rs 8 lakh to a gang that threatened to release an obscene video of him.

Modus Operandi

According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered at the cyber police station in the East district, the 71-year-old doctor received a video call on July 13, 2022. Assuming it was a medical emergency, he answered the call, only to find a woman on the other end shouting for help. The call abruptly disconnected, leaving the doctor puzzled.

Later that night, the doctor received another video call, but he was unable to attend to it as he was asleep. The following day, on July 14, he received yet another call, and this time, he was shocked to see a woman undressing on the screen. He immediately disconnected the call and switched off his mobile phone.

Extortion Begins

The next day, when the doctor turned on his phone, he started receiving calls from different individuals claiming to be Delhi Police personnel. They informed him that his video had gone viral on social media and demanded money in exchange for arresting the accused in Mumbai and covering travel and court expenses.

Under immense pressure and fear, the doctor succumbed to their demands and transferred a total of Rs 8.59 lakh to the scammers. Despite paying the money, the extortionists continued to threaten him with dire consequences.

Police Action

The doctor finally approached the police, and an FIR was registered under sections 419 (cheating by personation), 420 (cheating), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. The police have formed teams to apprehend the accused and are currently investigating the case.

This incident highlights the growing menace of sextortion scams, where criminals exploit the fear and vulnerability of individuals to extort money. It is crucial for people to remain vigilant and exercise caution when receiving suspicious calls or messages. If faced with such a situation, it is advisable to approach the authorities immediately and not succumb to the demands of the scammers.