Beware of the Online Scammers: A Valentine’s Day Warning
As Valentine’s Day approaches, singles are looking for love online, but there is a new danger lurking in the digital world. Cyber fraudsters have found a new way to exploit innocent people looking for love on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.
The scammers use fake profiles with attractive photos of women to lure in their victims. They chat with the victims and express a strong desire to talk over video calls. Once the victims agree, they receive a video call from a woman with a covered face and a naked body. The video gets paused, and the victim is left only listening to the voice on the other end.
The caller is then asked to call back due to poor internet connectivity. Unaware that the video call is being recorded, the victim calls back without any clothes on. The scammers then demand money from the victims in exchange for not uploading the video online or sharing it with their friends and family.
According to cyber crime police, the scammers initially ask for amounts ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹20,000, but once the victim starts paying, they extort even more money through online transactions using platforms like GooglePay, PhonePe, or Paytm.
As more and more people, especially teenagers, youth, and middle-aged men, fall victim to these scams, it is important to remain cautious and alert when engaging in online relationships. The best way to stay safe is to avoid such friendships and video calls altogether, and to ensure you know the identity of the person you are interacting with online. Don’t let the season of love make you an easy target for online scammers this Valentine’s Day.
