A Tragic Demise Highlights the Dark Reality of Cyber Crime: A Cautionary Tale
In a heartbreaking incident that sheds light on the dangers of sextortion, a 23-year-old man from Rajkot, Gujarat (India) met an unfortunate end, succumbing to the threats of cybercriminals. (News: Times of India, 21 June,2023, Ahmedabad)
Amit Rathod, a contract farmer, tragically took his own life after being targeted by a deceitful individual. This incident serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need to combat sextortion and protect vulnerable individuals from falling victim to such heinous crimes.
Amit Rathod, a hardworking contract farmer, found himself ensnared in a web of deceit and manipulation orchestrated by cyber criminals. Amit became a target for sextortion, a despicable crime where perpetrators exploit victims by coercing them into paying money under the threat of exposing intimate material.
Amit, under duress, paid a total of Rs 48,500 in two installments to the fraudster, hoping to escape the clutches of this heinous scheme. However, even after making the payments, his torment did not cease.
Tragically, after Amit’s death, his family received a phone call from an imposter claiming to be an IPS officer from New Delhi. The caller informed Amit’s father that a girl in New Delhi had taken her own life because of Amit’s actions. Shockingly, upon learning of Amit’s demise, the caller abruptly hung up.
Furthermore, a forged First Information Report (FIR) was found on Amit’s phone, further compounding the distress faced by his grieving family.
Sextortion schemes are orchestrated by criminals who employ manipulative tactics to exploit unsuspecting victims. The perpetrators often initiate video calls with the help of an accomplice, usually a woman, who convinces the victim to engage in intimate activities while discreetly recording the video. Armed with the compromising footage, the criminals proceed to threaten the victim, demanding significant sums of money to prevent the release of the explicit material.
To intensify the pressure, these unscrupulous individuals concoct elaborate stories, such as a fake suicide and the filing of a police case, to instill fear and coerce their victims into compliance. Overwhelmed by the shame and fear of public exposure, many innocent individuals succumb to these threats, leading to devastating consequences like Amit’s tragic demise.
The case of Amit Rathod highlights the urgent need to address the growing threat of sextortion. Law enforcement agencies, government bodies, and society as a whole must work together to prevent such crimes and support victims who find themselves trapped in these distressing situations.
The tragic demise of Amit Rathod serves as a grim reminder of the distressing reality of sextortion and its devastating consequences. To protect vulnerable individuals, it is crucial to raise awareness, improve cybersecurity measures, and establish robust support systems that empower victims to come forward and seek help.
How to protect yourself from Unwanted Video Calling?
In an era where cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated, it is crucial to take steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones from potential threats. WhatsApp, one of the most popular messaging platforms, offers a simple yet effective setting to block unwanted calls from unknown individuals. Unfortunately, many people remain unaware of this safety feature, which can help safeguard their privacy and security. In this article, we will guide you through the process of enabling this setting, ensuring a safer and more secure WhatsApp experience.
Step-by-Step Guide to Blocking Unwanted Calls:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your smartphone.
- Access Settings: Once inside the app, locate the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of the screen. Tap on them to access the settings menu.
- Navigate to Privacy Settings: Within the settings menu, find and select the “Privacy” option. This will open a new window containing various privacy-related settings.
- Tap on Calls: Look for the “Calls” button within the Privacy settings and tap on it. This will open the calling preferences.
- Enable Silence Unknown Callers: Within the calling preferences, you will find the option “Silence unknown callers.” Enable this option by sliding the toggle switch to the green color. This setting will help protect you from receiving video calls from unfamiliar numbers.
- Update WhatsApp (if necessary): If you cannot locate the “Calls” button or the “Silence unknown callers” option, it is likely that you have an older version of WhatsApp installed. In this case, please update the app from the Google Play Store to access the latest features.
Conclusion:
Prioritizing our safety and that of our loved ones is essential, particularly in the face of increasing cyber threats. By taking advantage of WhatsApp’s privacy settings, such as the “Silence unknown callers” feature, we can effectively block unwanted calls from cybercriminals and strangers. Remember to update your WhatsApp application regularly to ensure you have the latest security features available. Stay informed, take control of your privacy settings, and enjoy the peaceful life
