MUMBAI: Harassed by a gang of sextortionists, a 36-year -old railway employee ended his life by standing in front of an approaching train at Matunga on Monday. Government Railway Police on Tuesday filed a case of abetment to suicide against three people, including a woman, who had been demanding money from the victim. No arrests have been made so far.
Police recovered a note from the man’s pocket that said he had befriended a woman, Komal Sharma, on Facebook and she had shot an obscene video of him online and threatened to upload it on YouTube if he did not pay up. After refusing to pay initially, the father of two gave in and paid Rs 2 lakh to Sharma’s “cybercrime officer” aide.
Rly staffer’s family had no clue of ‘sextortion‘ ordeal
A railway staffer ended his life on tracks at Matunga on Monday leaving a note saying he was harassed by a gang of sextortionists. He said he had befriended Komal Sharma, who threatened to post an obscene video of him online if he did not give in to her demand for money.
On October 9, the man left home for work around 6am. Around 10.30am, his wife called him to speak about the schooling of their children. He told his wife that he was occupied with work and they could speak at length later. Around 3.50pm, the wife received a call from police saying he had been knocked down by a train at Matunga station and had suffered serious injuries. She rushed to Sion Hospital, where she found out that he had passed away.
According to the FIR, despite being blackmailed by Sharma, the victim did not pay her any money. However, Sharma then claimed that she had registered a complaint with the “cybercrime police” in Delhi and he began receiving calls from a “cybercrime officer”, Prem Prakash, who threatened him with action and extorted Rs 2 lakh. The suicide note also mentioned one Vikas Kumar who, he claimed, was an employee of an image and video-sharing platform online.
“The victim’s family had no idea about his ordeal as he had not told them that he had been targeted by sextortionists,” said a police officer. In the suicide note, he left directions for police to contact his wife and mother post his death. Police are looking for the three accused.
According to psychiatrist Dr Avinash De Sousa, people who are lonely or looking for companionship are more vulnerable to scams of this nature. “In India, there is a lot of shame attached to sexuality or nudity. The victim fears that if he does not give in to the accused’s demands, his videos will reach acquaintances and tarnish the reputation and respect he has earned all his life,” said Dr De Sousa. “It’s crucial to never accept online friend requests from people you don’t know. And even if you get deceived, visit the nearest police station personally. A person calling you and claiming to be a cop may not necessarily be so.”
Police recovered a note from the man’s pocket that said he had befriended a woman, Komal Sharma, on Facebook and she had shot an obscene video of him online and threatened to upload it on YouTube if he did not pay up. After refusing to pay initially, the father of two gave in and paid Rs 2 lakh to Sharma’s “cybercrime officer” aide.
Rly staffer’s family had no clue of ‘sextortion‘ ordeal
A railway staffer ended his life on tracks at Matunga on Monday leaving a note saying he was harassed by a gang of sextortionists. He said he had befriended Komal Sharma, who threatened to post an obscene video of him online if he did not give in to her demand for money.
On October 9, the man left home for work around 6am. Around 10.30am, his wife called him to speak about the schooling of their children. He told his wife that he was occupied with work and they could speak at length later. Around 3.50pm, the wife received a call from police saying he had been knocked down by a train at Matunga station and had suffered serious injuries. She rushed to Sion Hospital, where she found out that he had passed away.
According to the FIR, despite being blackmailed by Sharma, the victim did not pay her any money. However, Sharma then claimed that she had registered a complaint with the “cybercrime police” in Delhi and he began receiving calls from a “cybercrime officer”, Prem Prakash, who threatened him with action and extorted Rs 2 lakh. The suicide note also mentioned one Vikas Kumar who, he claimed, was an employee of an image and video-sharing platform online.
“The victim’s family had no idea about his ordeal as he had not told them that he had been targeted by sextortionists,” said a police officer. In the suicide note, he left directions for police to contact his wife and mother post his death. Police are looking for the three accused.
According to psychiatrist Dr Avinash De Sousa, people who are lonely or looking for companionship are more vulnerable to scams of this nature. “In India, there is a lot of shame attached to sexuality or nudity. The victim fears that if he does not give in to the accused’s demands, his videos will reach acquaintances and tarnish the reputation and respect he has earned all his life,” said Dr De Sousa. “It’s crucial to never accept online friend requests from people you don’t know. And even if you get deceived, visit the nearest police station personally. A person calling you and claiming to be a cop may not necessarily be so.”
