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Police sound alarm over rising sextortion, online blackmail

Atul Sharma
Early Times Report

Jammu, July 17: In view of the rising incidents of cyber-enabled crimes, including online blackmail and sextortion, the Jammu and Kashmir Police has issued a detailed public advisory urging people to remain calm, act responsibly and immediately report such crimes instead of giving in to the demands of cybercriminals.
The police cautioned that cybercriminals often use fake social media profiles, messaging applications, and video-calling platforms to trap unsuspecting victims before threatening to leak their private photographs or videos unless money or other favours are provided.
Emphasising that fear and silence only embolden offenders, the police advised citizens never to succumb to threats, intimidation or blackmail. Victims should not make any payments or comply with the demands of criminals, as doing so rarely ends the harassment and often leads to repeated extortion.
“Do not panic, do not negotiate with cybercriminals and do not allow fear to dictate your actions. The law is on your side, and timely reporting significantly improves the chances of identifying and prosecuting the offenders,” the advisory said.
The police also urged victims to preserve every piece of digital evidence related to the incident. This includes screenshots of chats and messages, emails, call logs, audio or video recordings, usernames, social media profiles, payment requests, bank account details, UPI IDs, QR codes, transaction receipts and any photographs or videos shared during the interaction. Such evidence plays a crucial role in tracing the accused and strengthening the investigation.
The advisory further stressed that individuals who are threatened with the publication or circulation of their private photographs or videos should not suffer in silence or feel ashamed. Victims should immediately seek help from trusted family members, friends, or law enforcement agencies, as prompt reporting can prevent further exploitation and help investigators take swift action.
The police appealed to the public to report such incidents without delay through the nearest police station, the Cyber Police Station, the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or the national cybercrime helpline. Early reporting increases the possibility of blocking fraudulent financial transactions, preserving digital evidence, and identifying those involved in the crime.
The advisory also urged people to exercise caution while using social media and online communication platforms. Citizens have been advised not to accept friend requests or video calls from unknown persons, avoid sharing personal photographs or sensitive information online, use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication wherever possible, and regularly review the privacy settings of their social media accounts.
Jammu and Kashmir Police reiterated that cybercrime can affect anyone, irrespective of age, gender or profession, and appealed to the public to remain vigilant, spread awareness among family members and report suspicious online activity at the earliest.
“Remember: Never give in to threats or blackmail. Preserve all digital evidence. Do not hesitate to seek help if someone threatens to leak your private photos or videos. Most importantly, report the incident immediately to the appropriate authorities,” the advisory said.
The police emphasised that public awareness, timely reporting and cooperation with law enforcement remain the strongest tools in combating cybercrime and ensuring that offenders are brought to justice.