A case that started through friendship on the social media platform Instagram has now taken the form of a serious cyber crime. According to preliminary investigation, it is alleged that some people blackmailed many youth by making private videos during online conversations. It is coming to light that more than 50 boys have been affected in this entire matter.
According to police sources, this matter came to light when some victims gathered courage and filed a complaint. The complaint states that first general conversations started on Instagram, then gradually personal conversations were increased and after this objectionable material was recorded through video calls or other means.
After this, the victims were demanded money by threatening to make the same video public. In many cases, allegations of continuously extorting money by creating mental pressure have also come to light.
Investigation has also revealed that some minors are suspected to have a role in this entire network, due to which the matter has become more sensitive. Keeping this aspect in mind, the police have included the Special Investigation Team and Cyber Cell in the investigation.
According to officials, social media chats, fake profiles and digital transactions are being investigated to connect the links of the entire network. Police are also trying to find out whether it is part of any organized gang or whether people working at different levels are involved.
After this incident came to light, concern about the online safety of youth has increased at the local level. Experts say that it is very important to be careful while interacting with unknown people on social media, because cyber criminals often take advantage of trust and weave such traps.
Police have appealed to the victims to come forward and lodge complaints, so that other affected people can be identified and the accused can be traced.
At present the matter is under investigation and the police is taking further action based on all the technical and digital evidence.