Extortion via WhatsApp threatening black magic

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: A new fraud tactic involving black magic threats on WhatsApp to extort money has emerged in Bengaluru. In one case, an unidentified fraudster extorted ?80,000 from a housewife by claiming black magic had been used on her since childhood and threatening to target her husband next. The CEN police station (Bengaluru West Division) registered an FIR based on a complaint filed by the 29-year-old victim.

On January 21, the woman received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number stating, “Hello friend.” When she asked for the sender’s identity, they replied, “Black magic has been used on you since childhood. It will be used on your husband too. I can resolve it, but you must pay.” Frightened, she withdrew ?80,000 from an ATM and transferred it to the provided account. The accused continued sending threatening messages afterward. Police have invoked Section 308 of the IPC (extortion through intimidation) and the Information Technology Act.