Apply strict privacy while using internet, says police

Hameed Ashraf | NT

Bengaluru: Online fraudsters have adopted a new modus operandi to dupe, blackmail and extort money from gullible people.

In their latest technique to target people, cyber frauds have come up with new tricks like stealing pictures of women from their social media profile pages and morphing them in order to harass and extort money from them.

Two such incidents have surfaced in the city after separate complaints were filed with the police.

In one incident, a victim received her morphed picture sent by an unidentified Instagram user who demanded Rs 5,000 from her to delete the photo from his page.

The victim in her complaint stated that when she tried to warn the accused that she will approach the police, he mocked her saying that police can't reach him.

The High Grounds Police are currently probing the matter. In a separate case filed at Amruthahalli Police Station, a student pursuing Second Pre-University Course (PUC) received a morphed and obscene picture of her mother.

The picture was sent to her on April 9 by a user using a fake Instagram account.

Meanwhile the Bengaluru Police have appealed to people using internet and social media platforms to apply strict privacy options to secure their personal details and photographs.

The cops also asked people not to receive WhatsApp video calls coming from unidentified numbers.

It is important to never share personal photos or videos with strangers over phone or online, they stressed.