Mount Carmel girl blackmailed with intimate photos and videos, cyber frauds extorted 1 lakh

Bengaluru

A 19-year-old girl was allegedly blackmailed using her intimate photographs and personal videos in a disturbing cybercrime case, after unknown persons obtained the content and threatened to make it public unless money was paid. The victim is a student of Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru, and her identity has been withheld.

The Central CEN Crime Police have registered an FIR under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, 2008, based on a complaint filed on January 10, 2026. The accused are unknown individuals who allegedly contacted the student through WhatsApp numbers +27 780654978 and +27 787664530.

According to the FIR, the accused sent the girl the same intimate photos and videos she had earlier shared privately with Sudhakar Reddy (name changed) and began blackmailing her by threatening to circulate the content on social media platforms. Reddy and the victim are in a romantic relationship according to the FIR.

₹1 lakh paid, threats continued

Distressed by the threats, the girl reportedly confided in her friend Shivam, who later informed her that he had transferred ₹1 lakh to the blackmailers in an attempt to stop the harassment. However, the extortion did not end there.

Police records state that the accused continued to demand more money, escalating the pressure and repeatedly threatening to circulate the content on social media platforms. With no relief despite payment and fearing further exploitation, the student finally approached the police.

FIR, cyber probe launched

The complaint led to the registration of Crime No. 0011/2026 at the Central CEN Crime Police Station. Investigators have classified the offence as online cheating and identity-related cybercrime, noting that the WhatsApp numbers used carry international country codes, raising suspicions of cross-border cybercriminal involvement.

The police have launched a detailed technical investigation, including tracing digital footprints, analysing financial transactions, and coordinating with cybercrime experts and messaging platform authorities.

Rising cyber blackmail cases

Police officials said the case reflects a disturbing rise in cyber blackmail incidents targeting young women, particularly students, using private digital content as leverage for extortion.

Authorities have urged victims not to give in to blackmail demands and to report such crimes immediately, assuring strict legal action against offenders. The investigation is ongoing.