Sextortion — where a stranger records or fakes a compromising video call and then demands money — is one of the fastest-growing online crimes in India. Victims of every age and gender are targeted. If this is happening to you, read this calmly.
First: do not panic, and do not pay
- Paying does not end it. It signals you can be pressured, and the demands continue.
- Stop all contact and do not send any more images or money.
- Do not delete evidence — screenshots, profile links, numbers and payment requests help investigators.
Lock down and report
- Set your social accounts to private and block the account.
- Report the profile to the platform (most have a "blackmail/sextortion" category).
- Call 1930 and file at cybercrime.gov.in — reports can be made discreetly.
- Tell one trusted person. Isolation is what blackmailers rely on.
How to avoid it
- Be cautious with video calls and friend requests from unknown accounts.
- Never share intimate content, even with people you think you know online.
- Watch for accounts that move very fast to video calls — a common script.
FAQ
Should I pay to make it stop?
No. Paying almost always leads to more demands. Stop contact and report to 1930 / cybercrime.gov.in.
Will reporting make it public?
No. Cyber-crime reports are handled confidentially. You can also report anonymously online.
They say they will send the video to my contacts. What do I do?
Preserve evidence, block and report the account, warn a trusted person, and file with 1930. Do not pay.