ASSIGNMENT ON SEXTORTION

ASSIGNMENT -5

1. What is Patreon?

Ans:

Patreon is a monetization platform operated by Patreon, Inc., that provides

business tools for content creators to run a subscription service and sell
digital products. It helps creators and artists earn a recurring income by
providing rewards and perks to its subscribers. Patreon charges a
commission of 9 to 12 percent of creators' monthly income, in addition to
payment processing fees. Patreon is used by YouTube videographers, web
comic artists, writers, podcasters, musicians, adult content creators, and other
categories of creators who post regularly online.It allows artists to receive
funding directly from its fans, or patrons, on a recurring basis or per work of
art.

2. What is OnlyFans?
Ans:
OnlyFans is an online streaming platform and app created in 2016 where
users can pay for private content (photos, videos, and live streams) with a
monthly subscription. Fitness trainers, models, public figures, and
other “content creators” use the platform to grow and monetize their fan
base. But unlike YouTube, Instagram, or Snapchat, OnlyFans allows explicit
sexual content. Because OnlyFans is by subscription only, content creators
can share nude photos of themselves, live stream pornographic videos, and
even virtually interact with their subscribers. Effectively, OnlyFans is live
porn. But it is also so much more than that. The platform has become
increasingly popular for people who have become unemployed during the
pandemic, but it is also popular among sex workers. With a subscription,
anyone can find and view sex workers and pornographic actors without ever
visiting a porn site. This makes OnlyFans especially dangerous for kids.

3. What is the culture and trend of pornstars post Covid-19 to retain their
business?
Ans:
4. The coronavirus has shuttered the adult entertainment industry, so
enterprising performers are
5. turning to platforms like OnlyFans to sell their product directly to
consumers. It’s a trend that
6. could change the way the industry works forever.
7. The economic uncertainty created by the coronavirus, and the ubiquity of
free adult content—
8. Pornhub alone hosts more than 12 million videos—millions are paying
OnlyFans’ going rate
9. of $4.99 to $49.99 a month to subscribe to performers’ profiles. And once
they’re inside,
10.they’re often willing to pay much more for custom content and direct
interactions.
11.The coronavirus has shuttered the adult entertainment industry, so
enterprising performers are
12.turning to platforms like OnlyFans to sell their product directly to
consumers. It’s a trend that
13.could change the way the industry works forever.
14.The economic uncertainty created by the coronavirus, and the ubiquity of
free adult content—
15.Pornhub alone hosts more than 12 million videos—millions are paying
OnlyFans’ going rate
16.of $4.99 to $49.99 a month to subscribe to performers’ profiles. And once
they’re inside,
17.they’re often willing to pay much more for custom content and direct
interactions.
18.The coronavirus has shuttered the adult entertainment industry, so
enterprising performers are
19.turning to platforms like OnlyFans to sell their product directly to
consumers. It’s a trend that
20.could change the way the industry works forever.
21.The economic uncertainty created by the coronavirus, and the ubiquity of
free adult content—
22.Pornhub alone hosts more than 12 million videos—millions are paying
OnlyFans’ going rate
23.of $4.99 to $49.99 a month to subscribe to performers’ profiles. And once
they’re inside,
24.they’re often willing to pay much more for custom content and direct
interactions.
25.The coronavirus has shuttered the adult entertainment industry, so
enterprising performers are
26.turning to platforms like OnlyFans to sell their product directly to
consumers. It’s a trend that
 27.could change the way the industry works forever.
28.The economic uncertainty created by the coronavirus, and the ubiquity of
free adult content—
29.Pornhub alone hosts more than 12 million videos—millions are paying
OnlyFans’ going rate
30.of $4.99 to $49.99 a month to subscribe to performers’ profiles. And once
they’re inside,
31.they’re often willing to pay much more for custom content and direct
interactions.
32.The coronavirus has shuttered the adult entertainment industry, so
enterprising performers are
33.turning to platforms like OnlyFans to sell their product directly to
consumers. It’s a trend that
34.could change the way the industry works forever.
35.The economic uncertainty created by the coronavirus, and the ubiquity of
free adult content—
36.Pornhub alone hosts more than 12 million videos—millions are paying
OnlyFans’ going rate
37.of $4.99 to $49.99 a month to subscribe to performers’ profiles. And once
they’re inside,
38.they’re often willing to pay much more for custom content and direct
interactions.
The coronavirus has shuttered the adult entertainment industry, so
enterprising performers areturning to platforms like OnlyFans to sell their
product directly to consumers. It’s a trend that could change the way the
industry works forever.The economic uncertainty created by the coronavirus,
and the ubiquity of free adult content—Pornhub alone hosts more than 12
million videos—millions are paying OnlyFans’ going rate of $4.99 to $49.99
a month to subscribe to performers’ profiles. And once they’re inside,
they’re often willing to pay much more for custom content and direct
interactions.

4. What is Webcam sex? How common is this in India?

Ans:

Webcam sex is performing live in front of a webcam as a way of making

money. At its most extreme it involves viewing illegal sex on
demand.According to cyber experts, an increasing number of Indian couples
are live streaming sex. Such kind of porn apparently earns couple anywhere
from Rs 1-15 lakh per month. All the money is paid through tips or tokens
 allocated by viewers in crypto currency. The issue came to light after a
Hyderabad-based software engineer was arrested for secretly live-streaming
sex with his wife on a porn site for six months.At any point of time, there are
more than 2,000 active users and the total number may be extremely high as
many are engaged only on part-time basis for quick money," said Kislay
Chaudhary, Delhi cyber crime expert.

5. What is Sextortion?
Ans:
Sextortion is a form of extortion that involves the use of sexually explicit
material, such as images or videos, to coerce someone into performing
certain actions, usually involving the payment of money or providing
additional explicit content. The term is a combination of "sex" and
"extortion."

Typically, the perpetrator obtains compromising or intimate material through

various means, such as hacking, social engineering, or manipulation. Once
they have the explicit content, they threaten to share it publicly or with the
victim's friends and family unless specific demands are met. These demands
often include financial payments, more explicit material, or other actions that
the perpetrator desires.

Sextortion is a serious and illegal form of online harassment and can have
severe emotional, psychological, and financial consequences for the victims.
Law enforcement agencies worldwide are working to combat sextortion and
prosecute those responsible for engaging in such criminal activities. It is
crucial for individuals to be cautious about sharing intimate content online
and to report any instances of sextortion to the appropriate authorities.

6. How do you file a complaint for sextortion in India?

Ans:
If you are a victim of sextortion in India, it is essential to take immediate steps
to protect yourself and report the incident to the appropriate authorities. Here
are the general steps you can follow:
1. Do not comply with the extortion demands: It is crucial not to give in to the
perpetrator's demands. Paying money or providing more explicit material does
not guarantee that the threats will stop.
2. Document the evidence: Save any relevant messages, emails, or other
communications as evidence. Take screenshots or preserve any digital evidence
that can be useful for the investigation.

3. Cease communication: Cut off all communication with the perpetrator. Do

not engage in further discussions or negotiations.

4. Contact the police: Report the incident to your local police station. You can
visit the police station in person or file a complaint online if your local police
department provides such a service. Provide them with all the evidence you
have collected.

5. Contact the Cyber Crime Cell: In many cases of sextortion, the cyber crime
cell or cyber crime unit of the police department handles such matters. You may
need to provide detailed information about the incident, including the nature of
the threats and the evidence you have.

6. National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: You can also file a complaint on the
National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (https://www.cybercrime.gov.in/)
provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs. This portal allows you to report
cybercrimes online.

7. Seek legal advice: Consult with a legal professional to understand your rights
and get guidance on the legal actions you can take against the perpetrator.

Remember that prompt reporting is crucial in such cases. The police and cyber
crime units can take appropriate action to investigate and track down the
culprits. Additionally, seeking support from friends, family, or counseling
services can help you cope with the emotional distress caused by sextortion.

7. What sections of law can we apply if someone is harassing you on

WhatsApp with explicit content?
Ans:
In India, if someone is harassing you on WhatsApp with explicit content,
several sections of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Indian Penal
Code may be applicable. Here are some relevant sections that law enforcement
may use to address such cases:

1. Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000: This section deals
with sending offensive messages through communication services. However, it's
important to note that Section 66A was struck down by the Supreme Court of
India in 2015, declaring it unconstitutional. So, this section is no longer
applicable.

2. Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000: This section deals with
publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form. If someone is
sending explicit content without your consent, they could be charged under this
section.

3. Section 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000: This section deals
with publishing or transmitting sexually explicit material in electronic form. If
the explicit content involves sexual acts, it could fall under this section.

4. Section 67B of the Information Technology Act, 2000: This section deals
with publishing or transmitting of material depicting children in sexually
explicit acts. If the explicit content involves minors, this section may be
applicable.

5. Section 354C of the Indian Penal Code (IPC): This section deals with
capturing or disseminating images of a woman engaging in a private act without
her consent. If the harassment involves non-consensual sharing of private
images, this section may be relevant.

6. Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC): This section deals with word,
gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman. If the harassment is
of a nature that insults the modesty of a person, including through explicit
content, this section may be applicable.

7. Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC): This section deals with
defamation. If false and defamatory material is being circulated, this section
may be applicable.
If anyone is a victim of harassment on WhatsApp, it is crucial to document the
evidence and report the incident to the local police or cyber crime cell. They can
guide the victim on the appropriate legal actions and initiate an investigation
into the matter. Always seek legal advice if needed, and consider reaching out
to support organizations for assistance.

8. What are the five most common fetishes people seek online?
Ans:
It's important to note that people's interests and preferences can vary widely,
and what individuals seek online can be influenced by personal factors, cultural
differences, and individual tastes. However, some fetishes are known to be
relatively common and frequently sought online. Keep in mind that the
prevalence and popularity of fetishes can change over time. As of my
knowledge cutoff in January 2022, some common fetishes include:

1. Foot Fetish: This involves a strong attraction to feet. Some people find feet
sexually arousing and may enjoy activities such as foot massage, toe-sucking, or
foot worship.

2. BDSM (Bondage, Discipline, Dominance, Submission, Sadism, Masochism):

BDSM encompasses a range of activities and practices that involve power
dynamics, role-playing, and various forms of consensual physical and
psychological play.

3. Role-playing and Fantasy: Many individuals are drawn to role-playing

scenarios and fantasies, whether it involves specific characters, scenarios, or
power dynamics. This can manifest in various ways, such as teacher-student
role play or scenarios involving authority figures.

4. Lingerie and Clothing Fetishes: Some people are particularly aroused by

specific types of clothing, such as lingerie, uniforms, or latex. The tactile and
visual aspects of certain fabrics and garments may contribute to the fetish.

5. Voyeurism and Exhibitionism: Voyeurism involves gaining sexual pleasure

from watching others engage in sexual activities, while exhibitionism involves
deriving pleasure from being watched. Online platforms have facilitated the
sharing and consumption of explicit content, catering to these interests.
It's important to approach discussions about fetishes with sensitivity and respect
for diverse preferences. Additionally, consent and communication are crucial in
any intimate or sexual context. If you are exploring fetishes with a partner, open
and honest communication is key to ensuring that both parties are comfortable
and consenting to the activities involved.

9. List the top five dating / flirting apps for both Android and iPhone with
theirfeatures.
Ans:
1. Tinder (Android; iOS)The app displays singles in your area. If you like
someone's profile, swipe the photo to the right; otherwise, swipe to the left. If
you both swipe right, you can send messages and set something up. Upgrading
to a paid Plus or Gold membership at Tinder gives you premium features like
unlimited likes or rewinds that give would-be partners a second chance. If you
know how to use Tinder's premium tiers, you can also change the location you
want your profile to appear in.Tinder continues to tinker with its formula,
rolling out a video feature that allows you to make in-app video calls to matches
without exchanging personal details. A Safety Center feature ties into Noonlight
app and provides a panic button in case you wind up on a date where you feel
unsafe, and you can run background checks based on data from public records.
Tinder may even add a "swipe party" feature that lets your friends join in on the
fun of helping pick out a would-be partner for you.
2. Bumble (Android; iOS)Women get to make the first move after two people
mutually connect and are part of each other’s hive. From there, you've got just
24 hours to make some kind of contact or the connection disappears. For same-
sex connections or friendships, either person has to make a move within 24
hours before that connection is gone, though you can get a 24-hour extension.
When it comes to forging friendships, Bumble has a BFF feature for people who
are not looking for dates and a separate section for making business contacts.
The Bumble Boost upgrade, which ranges from $2.99 to $8.99, makes it easier
and faster to meet or date people. Bumble added video a couple years ago,
giving one of the best dating apps a leg up in the shelter-in-place era. A Night In
addition added games starting with a trivia game to give you and your date
something to do on your video chat.

3. OkCupid (Android; iOS)OkCupid features a massive userbase and

straightforward dating tools. But rather than rest onits laurels, OKC keeps
refining and adding on features to its top dating app, such as a "Flavors" system
that allows users to quickly view evocative flavors of potential matches, such as
Kinky Nerds, Beard Lovers, World Travelers, etc. All this is in addition to
OkCupid's messaging tools, personality quizzes, Instagram integration and other
old favorites. A premium subscription adds other features, such as refined
search tools and the ability to see users who have liked you.
4. Hinge (Android; iOS)Hinge turns its nose up at swipes for a more detailed
profile that you fill in with pictures and stories. Users can then choose to like
and comment on something in that profile, and that serves as a mutual
conversation starter. Each day, you can check out new recommendations, as
well as see people who have liked something in your profile.Hinge responded
quickly to our shelter-in-place situation imposed by the coronavirus pandemic
by rolling out Date From Home features. Other changes include teaming up
with the likes of Chipotle and Uber Eats to encourage users to have socially
distanced dinner dates.A Standouts feature now highlights people who are more
likely to be your type, along with topics that Hinge thinks will spark a
conversation with your would-be match. There is also a premium tier that
boosts your profile in searches, but we don't think you need to pay to benefit
from the app's matching experience.
5. Match.com (Android; iOS) Match.com offers its users a freemium dating
experience on Android and iOS. Free users can set up online profiles, upload a
few pictures of themselves and then engage in some online flirting with
"winks", and have new matches delivered to them daily. More comprehensive
features, such as the ability to see who has checked out your profile and liked
your pictures, can be unlocked by a Match.com subscription. Match has
continued to add on to its features, such as a Tinder-like Mixer, Android Wear
and Apple Watch integration, and the addition of voice and video snippets to
your profile. Vibe Check, launched in the spring, lets you enjoy video chats
with your matches, while Match also lets you pay a little extra to have real-life
dating coaches make matches for you.Match also added a safety feature that lets
you alert friends if you're on a date and feel unsafe.You can even set your
political views in Match, so you can better find a person whose outlook lines up
with yours (or don't, if you believe that opposites attract).

10. Find top five websites where India teens (both men / women) can
upload explicit images and share online.
Ans:
1. Instagram
2. Snapchat
3. Tinder
4. Kik Messenger
5. Yik Yak

11. List ten news articles from last 24 months on sextortion in India.
Ans:
1. Sextortion cases on the rise in Pune, 2 end lives due to mental trauma
Two victims committed suicide in a sextortion case in the month of September
2022. One of
the deceased, aged 30 years, who was an ITI passout and the other, aged 22
years, was
pursuing graduation. Dattwadi Police officials told that the deceased's brother
informed us
that his brother was being harassed by an unknown girl, wherein he has paid
rupees 4500. A
young man, who jumped off from the 10th floor, was threatened with a
morphed image
through Instagram.
One of the victims who runs a modelling agency came forward to share his
ordeal, "I got a
call from an unknown number and then I talked with the girl on video call.
Everything was
recorded and with those visuals I was asked to pay 20 thousand rupees. Not just
me, even my
students have fallen prey to this racket. One of my female students was also
trapped. She was
scared to confess it as she feared end of her career.
1. Sextortion cases on the rise in Pune, 2 end lives due to mental trauma
Two victims committed suicide in a sextortion case in the month of
September 2022. One of the deceased, aged 30 years, who was an ITI pass
out and the other, aged 22 years, was pursuing graduation. Dattwadi Police
officials told that the deceased's brother informed us that his brother was
being harassed by an unknown girl, wherein he has paid rupees 4500. A
young man, who jumped off from the 10th floor, was threatened with a
morphed image through Instagram.One of the victims who runs a modeling
agency came forward to share his ordeal, "I got a call from an unknown
number and then I talked with the girl on video call. Everything was
recorded and with those visuals I was asked to pay 20 thousand rupees. Not
just me, even my students have fallen prey to this racket. One of my female
students was also trapped. She was scared to confess it as she feared end of
her career.”

2. Delhi: Sextortion racket trapping 200 people busted

NEW DELHI: The Crime Branch of Delhi Police has arrested two men from
Mewat in Rajasthan for running an inter-state sextortion racket. The accused
 got a female accomlice to have a video chat with prospective victims and
then recorded them nude. The clip was later used to blackmail the
victims.The gang is alleged to have extorted money from 200 victims, a
dozen of them high-profile people, including police and government officials
and businessmen from different states.

3. A 19-year-old man died by suicide after being harassed and blackmailed by

online fraudsters in Dattawadi area of Pune on September 28.
4. The Pune police have arrested a 29-year-old man from Rajasthan in
connection with the
5. "sextortion" case of a teen from the city, who allegedly died by suicide after
he was harassed
6. and blackmailed by online fraudsters. A 19-year-old man died by suicide
after being harassed
7. and blackmailed by online fraudsters in Dattawadi area of Pune on
September 28. The college
8. student had fallen prey to threats of online fraudsters and paid 4,500 to
them, but ended his ₹
9. life as he could not take the pressure. "The investigations in the case led us
to Gothri Guru
10.village in Rajasthan's Alwar district, where we apprehended Anwar Suban
Khan. He is the
11.mastermind behind the sextortion racket being run from the village," senior
inspector Abhay
12.Mahajan of Dattawadi police station said. A detailed probe revealed that
majority of the youth
13.and women from the village were involved in online sextortion, he said.
Anwar Suban Khan
14.had direct involvement in the case of the 19-year-old student, who was
blackmailed into
15.paying the racket
The Pune police have arrested a 29-year-old man from Rajasthan in
connection with the "sextortion" case of a teen from the city, who allegedly
died by suicide after he was harassed and blackmailed by online fraudsters.
A 19-year-old man died by suicide after being harassed and blackmailed by
online fraudsters in Dattawadi area of Pune on September 28. The
collegestudent had fallen prey to threats of online fraudsters and paid 4,500
 to them, but ended his ₹life as he could not take the pressure. "The
investigations in the case led us to Gothri Guru village in Rajasthan's Alwar
district, where we apprehended Anwar Suban Khan. He is the mastermind
behind the sextortion racket being run from the village," senior inspector
Abhay Mahajan of Dattawadi police station said. A detailed probe revealed
that majority of the youthand women from the village were involved in
online sextortion, he said. Anwar Suban Khan had direct involvement in the
case of the 19-year-old student, who was blackmailed into paying the racket.

4. A 'Sex Video' Extortion Bid In Mumbai That Included A "Fake" Suicide

43-year-old man from Chinchpokli in Mumbai has lost 7.5 lakh allegedly in
a 'sextortion' ₹racket in which he was threatened with an abetment to suicide
case, a police official said on Friday.The man had recently indulged in a
video chat with a woman who started undressing during the conversation,
and soon after he got a call from a person falsely identifying himself as Delhi
cyber crime branch official ArunSaxena, the official said. "The accused, who
was calling himself ArunSaxena, told the man that the woman he had chatted
with had committedsuicide after her pornographic videos got circulated. The
accused threatened to implicate the man in an abetment to suicide case and
extorted 7.5 lakh between July 15 and 18," the ₹official said. "On the
demand of the accused, he paid 2.53 lakh to get all such videos ₹deleted
from various sites on the internet and 5 lakh as compensation to the family
of the ₹woman. The victim approached police after the accused started
demanding more money on various pretexts," he added.

5. 2 Brothers Who Were Members Of Sextortion Gang Arrested: Delhi Police

Two brothers, allegedly members of a ‘sextortion' gang, were arrested from
Uttar Pradesh andRajasthan, police in Delhi said on Saturday.The arrests
were made following a complaint by a person who alleged that the accused
had extorted 12,42,850 from him, they said. Police had earlier arrested three
members of the ₹gang, but Ahmad Khan and Aamir Khan were missing.
They were caught Thursday from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, Deputy
Commissioner of Police (Crime) Amit Goel said. Both are brothers and
members of an sextortion gang which has duped over 100 people, he said.
The accused used to target people through social media with fake profiles of
women and sending them ‘friend requests' to potential targets. After some
 time, they would ask the personto come on a video call and would ask them
to perform some private acts, which they then would secretly record, police
said.They would then leverage the video to extort money from these people,
they added.

6. Mumbai Finance Exec Blackmailed For Lakhs In "Sextortion" Racket

The victim allegedly paid Rs.2.06 lakh to the gang members, a police
official said.
A 57-year-old senior executive of a housing finance firm in Mumbai was
allegedly duped of Rs.2.06 lakh after a woman and some other persons
threatened to make his video, shot in a ₹compromising position, viral on
social media, police said on Thursday. One of the blackmailers also posed as
a Delhi police official, they said. Last Saturday, the man received a
WhatsApp message asking if he was interested in "video sex", an official
from Bandra police station said. When the man agreed, he received a video
call showing a woman in a compromising position, and he was then asked to
undress. Later, the man start getting variouscalls from some people,
threatening that they would inform his family about his video shot in an
objectionable state, the official said. Another person, who identified himself
as VikramRathod and working with the Delhi police's crime branch, also
allegedly threatened to frame the man in this connection, the official said. A
woman also called up the man and said she will make his video viral on
social media, if he did not pay the amount demanded by them. The victim
allegedly paid 2.06 lakh to the gang members, the police official said. But,
as ₹they kept demanding more money, he approached the police and lodged a
complaint. The police have registered a case against unidentified persons
under relevant provisions, the official said. No arrest has been made so far.
The police are conducting an investigation into the case, he added.

7. Delhi Police Arrests Two Members Of Online Extortion Gang

The accused prepared fake ID with profile names and photographs of
attractive women on various social media platforms and sent friend request to
victims. The Delhi Police has arrested two members of a gang who would
lure their targets with videocalls after befriending them on social media and
blackmail them with recordings of their private webcam chats, officials said
on Wednesday. The accused have been identified as Samaydeen (28) and
Munfed (26), both residents of Rajasthan, they said. The Delhi Police's Crime
 Branch had arrested four members of this online sextortion gang in July last
year. The accused had disclosed that the main leaders of the gang were
Samaydeen and Munfed. The gang had cheated and extorted money from
more than 200 victims, a senior police officer said. A team led by inspector
Anil Sharma of IGIS, Crime Branch laid a trap and arrested both the accused
on Tuesday, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Dheeraj Kumar said.
Theaccused prepared fake ID with profile names and photographs of
attractive women on varioussocial media platforms and sent friend request to
victims. After becoming friends, they sharedtheir WhatsApp numbers and
started sexting, police said. After trapping them through sexting, the accused
offered to place video calls to the targets and show them a girl stripping off.
They would lure the targets into getting nude during the webcam chat
sessions, they said. As they removed their clothes, the accused would record
them secretly using a screen-recording application. During the episode, no
voice calls were made and the victim believed that he was interacting with a
girl. The accused would later force them into paying blackmail money, police
said. The victims of this gang are across the country, they said. Samaydeen is
Munfed's brother-in-law and they started the sextortion gang around two
years ago, police said.

8. Chandigarh: Three of sextortion gang nabbed

Chandigarh, August 19
Three members of a sextortion gang have been arrested by the Operations Cell
of the
Chandigarh Police.
The accused, identified as Mubin (39), Rashid (19) and Arjudin (24), all
residents of
Bharatpur district, Rajasthan, were nabbed from Rajasthan by a team led by
Inspector
Amanjot Singh, in-charge of the Operations Cell.
Modus Operandi
 Victims are identified through Facebook and other social networking
sites
 The victim is asked to do a video call by a suspect, a male, who
claimed to be a
woman
 During the video call, gang members show a recorded video of some
girl to make the
victim believe he is having live video chat
8. Chandigarh: Three of sextortion gang nabbed
Chandigarh, August 19 Three members of a sextortion gang have been
arrested by the Operations Cell of the Chandigarh Police.
The accused, identified as Mubin (39), Rashid (19) and Arjudin (24), all
residents of Bharatpur district, Rajasthan, were nabbed from Rajasthan by a
team led by Inspector Amanjot Singh, in-charge of the Operations Cell.

Modus Operandi
Victims are identified through Facebook and other social networking sites

The victim is asked to do a video call by a suspect, a male, who claimed to

be a woman
During the video call, gang members show a recorded video of some girl to
make the victim believe he is having live video chat.
Suspects used an app to make their voice sound like a girl to lure the victim
and further record the video
Victim was then made extortion calls by threatening him of posting the
video on social networking sites
The victim, a resident of Sector 19, had complained that he received a
WhatsApp message from a suspect, who claimed to be Archana Sharma, a
government school teacher. The suspect had candid conversation with the
victim. He later received a video call in which therewas a girl on the other
side who lured the victim and asked him to remove his clothes. The victim
then received threats in which the suspect asked him to deposit Rs 25,000 or
else his objections videos will be uploaded on social networking sites. Later,
the victim received a call from another number and the suspect introduced
himself as some SHO calling from the DC office, Chandigarh. The suspect
told the victim that a complaint had been received against him at the DC
office and they were going to take action against him. The suspect thenasked
the victim to pay him money to reach a compromise.The suspect gave him a
mobile number of some Anmol Sharma and asked him to make payment on
Google Pay, following which he transferred Rs 3,120. However, the suspect
 kept on demanding more money, following which the police were informed.
During the course of investigation, the raiding party of the Operations Cell,
Sector 26, Chandigarh, went to Kaithwara, Bharatpur district, Rajasthan, and
nabbed three suspects. Sources said arresting the suspects from that region
involved a lot of risk as such gangs operate in syndicate to stop the police
from entering the villages.During interrogation, the suspects revealed that
they were running a sextortion gang and had targeted people in Chandigarh
and other states by recording their objectionable videos.Over 2,000 SIM
cards used in past one year. There are around 25-30 members in the gang who
have used over 2,000 SIM cards in the pastone year to cheat and extort
money from people. Extorting around Rs 50L per month Bank details of the
three accused revealed that they were extorting around Rs 50 lakh per month
through sextortion racket and a majority of their money was invested in real
estate.

9. 2 held in Rajasthan, cops say part of ‘sextortion’

An online “sextortion” gang — accused of abetting the suicide of a 26-year-
old MBA graduate in Bengaluru in March — deployed school dropouts from
a village in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur district to look for vulnerable targets on
social media and remotely-created a bank account to collect funds through
cyber crime, police have said.RobinBharath (22) and JavedRehman (25) from
Rasoolpura village in Kaithwada police station limits were arrested this week
in connection with the suicide of Avinash B S after a probe into the money
trail and communication related to the alleged “sextortion” of over Rs 35,000
from the victim. “In thatRasoolpura area, they are being trained by gangsters
on operating this racket. They are being told to do things on social media.
They do not know anything else about the operations other than targeting
victims,” said D Devaraj, DCP (Whitefield division) in Bengaluru. “The
money was routed to one particular account created in a bank in the Sarjapur
area of Bengaluru. We went to the bank and asked them how an account
could be opened from Rajasthan and they said there is a provision to open an
account online,” the DCP said. The account may have been used in 18
different cases for funds extracted by the gang through cyber-crime, police
said. “People are now coming forward to file complaints,” the DCP said. The
suicide has put the spotlight on the growing menace of what is being
described in police circles as “sextortion” by organised gangs using social
media accounts. Several days after Avinash BS hanged himself at his home
 on March 23, an online gang contacted his elder sister on Facebook —
without realising that their victim was dead — and demanded more money to
ensure that a video is not posted online or shared with friends and family.
According to police sources, this was when the family realised that the
probable cause of Avinash’s death was continuous efforts by the gang to
blackmail him with alleged videos of his online sexual conduct. In March, the
CID cyber crime cell busted a gang from Bharatpur which targeted a 54-year-
old businessman from rural Bengaluru with the same modus operandi.

10.From commoners to MLAs: ‘Sextortion’ continues to haunt people in

KarnatakaOn October 31, senior BJP legislator from Karnataka’s Chitradurga
G H Thippareddy received a video call on WhatsApp from an unknown
number. In the short while that the call lasted, the caller displayed the private
parts of a woman to the MLA, screen-recorded the call,and sent the video to
Thippareddy’s number. This incident, which grabbed headlines in Karnataka,
was among the several cases of ‘sextortion’ being reported in the state.
Extorting money or other valuables is the least of concerns in such cases, as
victims have even chosen to end their lives after falling prey to such traps.

12. List top five states in India with active cybercrime cells.
Ans:
1. Delhi
2. Gujarat
3. Telangana
4. Chandigarh
5. Karnataka