Every week, people receive calls for help because they become victims of online scams. These scams occur through social media or search engines. Most victims are alone and searching for someone to talk to. They meet someone online and start chatting. Often, this leads to a video call. That’s where the trap begins. The other person pretends to be friendly and romantic. Very quickly, the situation turns sexual. The victim is prompted to show their private parts. Within minutes, the scammer records everything and sends the video back to the victim. This marks the beginning of a nightmare called blackmail.
How Does Video Call Scam Work?
This scam always follows a very specific pattern. It begins with a simple message or friend request. You might find this person on a dating app or social media site. They seem nice and show a lot of interest in you. Because you’re feeling lonely, you respond. You want to connect with someone else.
The scammer suggests a video call. During the call, they start behaving sexually. They also provoke you to do the same. Many people feel safe because they think it’s a private moment. However, the scammer is using screen recording software. They capture every second of the call.
As soon as the call ends, the tone changes. The person who was sweet till now becomes an offender. They send you the video they just recorded. They tell you that if you don’t pay, they will share it. They show you a list of your friends or family members. They know who all they are, and they promise to ruin your life by sending the video to everyone.
Should You Pay Blackmailers?
This is the most common question victims ask. The answer is simple but hard to hear. Do not pay. People have paid different amounts to these criminals. Some have paid as little as 50 rupees. Others have paid up to 4 million rupees.
The problem is that the demands never stop. If you pay once, the scammer realizes you are scared. They find out you have money. They will keep calling and messaging you for more. They will use the same video to pressurize you for weeks or months. Why paying doesn’t work
Action Outcome:
- You pay at the first demand; the scammer immediately demands more money.
- You scare the criminal; they realize they can control you.
- You keep paying; you lose all your savings, and the video remains.
- You stop paying; the scammer eventually looks for a new victim.
Once you stop complying, they might try to access your accounts. They may also attempt to send the video to one or two people. You should be prepared for this possibility. It’s better to face the truth—that you’re never alone—than to give all your money to the criminal.
Handling The Fear Of Video Leak On Social Media
The biggest fear is that friends and family will see the videos. Scammers use this fear to control you. You need to take away that power. Tell yourself that you made a mistake in a moment of loneliness.
Making a mistake does not make you a bad person. It makes you human. If the video gets leaked, you can tell people the truth. Say that you were targeted by a professional scam group. Most people will understand. Many have already heard about these scams. Living in fear or debt is worse than enduring a little shame temporarily.
The Fake Police Officer Trick
Scammers also have another way to deceive you. After recording your video, the first person might call you. This person will pose as a police officer. They might use a profile picture of a person in uniform. If you use an app like Truecaller, the name might show as “Inspector Rakesh” or “Police Station.”
They will tell you that a complaint has been filed against you. They might say you will be arrested for illegal activity. They will ask you to come to the police station or pay a “fine” to settle the case. This is completely false. This person is another scammer working with the same group. Their aim is to use the law to extract even more money from you.
Why you are not in legal trouble:
- You have not committed any crime.
- No one will come to arrest you at your home.
- Real police do not ask for money over the phone.
- If you fall for a scam, no criminal action will be taken against you.
Do not get trapped in this trick. If someone calls pretending to be a police officer and demands money, hang up immediately. Block the number right away. They have no control over you.
Should You Report The Scam To The Police?
Reporting a crime is an option, but you should think practically. If you lost only a small amount, it may be better to move on. Reporting to the police takes a lot of time and effort. In one case, a victim lost 4 million rupees. The scammers threatened to send videos of his wife and his job. Because the amount was huge, the victim decided to fight back. It took a long time to see results.
Catching these criminals is a slow process. In that case, it took 13 months of hard work to put the person in jail. Even after arrest, court cases take more time. You need to decide if the money you lost is worth months of stress in fighting legally.
How To Protect Yourself In The Future
The best way to stay safe is to be cautious about whom you talk to online. Scammers target people who seem vulnerable or lonely. They use fake profiles with attractive pictures to trap you. If a stranger asks you for an immediate video call, be cautious. If they start talking sexually almost instantly, it’s almost certainly a scam. Never show your face or private parts in a video call with someone you don’t know in real life.
If you have already fallen victim, you should:
- Cut all contact. Don’t reply to messages or answer calls.
- Block their accounts on WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram.
- Make your profile private. This will make it harder for them to find your friends list.
- Don’t pay anything. Not a single rupee.
Conclusion
Becoming a victim of blackmail scams is a terrifying experience. It feels like your whole world is collapsing. However, remember that you are a victim of a crime, not the criminal. You made a mistake out of loneliness, and bad people took advantage of it. Do not let these scammers take your money or peace of mind. Stop paying them and block their numbers. If you have lost a lot of money, seek legal help, but be prepared for a long fight. If the loss is small, be grateful it wasn’t worse and move on with your life. You are not alone, and you can get through this.
Have you or someone you know been a victim of this kind of online scam? If you feel you are in danger, contact a trusted friend or local authorities.
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