Bengaluru
A 30-year-old software engineer’s pursuit of love took a perilous turn when he fell prey to an online scam orchestrated through a popular dating app. Ensnared by the allure of potential companionship, he downloaded the app, only to find himself ensnared in a web of deceit that involved explicit material and monetary extortion. The Whitefield Division police are now investigating the incident following the victim’s complaint. The techie, hailing from Seegehalli, recounted his harrowing experience, which began on August 16 when he connected with a woman named Nikita (25) on the dating app. Their interactions escalated quickly, with Nikita sharing her WhatsApp number and social media details. Engaging in video calls, she lured him into an intimate conversation, only to then coerce him into undressing while she recorded the act. She subsequently sent the explicit material to his WhatsApp, threatening to expose him publicly unless he complied with her demands for money. Employing a sinister blend of charm and fear, the fraudster manipulated the victim into transferring money to different bank accounts. To intensify the pressure, a second individual, identified as Arvind Shukla (33), even posed as a police sub-inspector from Uttar Pradesh, further deepening the victim’s anguish. The techie, realizing the gravity of the situation, filed a complaint with the authorities on Tuesday, shedding light on the elaborate scam he had fallen victim to. The police have identified Nikita and Shukla as the prime suspects in the case, signaling a determined effort to bring them to justice. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk in the online world, where seemingly innocuous connections can quickly morph into malicious plots. As technology evolves, so do the tactics of cybercriminals, necessitating heightened awareness, vigilance, and prompt reporting of suspicious activities.
