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Online honeytraps on rise in J&K, police issue alert

Atul Sharma
Early Times Report

Jammu, Jan 11: With a sharp spike in sextortion cases sending shockwaves across the Union Territory, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have sounded a high alert, warning people against falling prey to cyber predators who are trapping victims through fake social media profiles and video calls and then blackmailing them for money.
In a strongly worded advisory issued through its official social media handles, the police said unsuspecting users are being targeted through friend requests and video calls from unknown individuals, after which their private moments are secretly recorded and used as tools of blackmail.
“Victims are threatened that their videos will be made viral on social media unless they pay money. This cyber crime is known as sextortion and is spreading fast,” the police said, urging citizens to remain extremely cautious while interacting with strangers online.
According to cyber experts, the scam often begins with casual chatting, followed by video calls during which explicit content is recorded without the victim’s knowledge. Soon after, the victim starts receiving threatening messages demanding immediate payment, failing which the footage is circulated among friends, relatives or uploaded online.
Police said many victims hesitate to report such incidents due to fear of social stigma, which further emboldens cyber criminals. “Silence only strengthens the blackmailers. People must not panic or pay money, but report the matter immediately,” the advisory stressed.
The J&K Police have appealed to people, especially youth, to avoid accepting friend requests from unknown profiles, refrain from sharing personal information or engaging in private video calls with strangers, and to strengthen privacy settings on social media platforms.
Citizens who fall victim to sextortion have been advised to immediately approach the nearest police station or cyber crime unit, preserve all digital evidence including chats, call logs and screenshots, and lodge a formal complaint without delay.
Security agencies warned that failure to act promptly could lead to further exploitation and psychological trauma, as scammers often continue demanding money even after receiving initial payments.
With online crimes rising at an alarming pace, the police have reiterated that cyber safety is a shared responsibility and urged the public to remain vigilant, alert, and informed to avoid becoming the next target of digital blackmail.