Hyderabad man arrested for extorting Rs 25 lakh through fake social media profiles

Law enforcement officials in Hyderabad have apprehended a man suspected of orchestrating a widespread extortion scheme that defrauded at least 82 men of approximately Rs 25 lakh. The accused operated multiple fraudulent accounts across social media platforms to systematically target and blackmail his victims.

According to police investigations, the man created a total of 27 fake accounts—13 on Instagram and 14 on Facebook—predominantly featuring photographs of a woman from Kolkata. These profiles were reportedly used to establish contact with potential victims and build trust before the extortion began.

The modus operandi involved luring men into intimate conversations and soliciting private photographs. Once obtained, the accused allegedly threatened to expose the images to the victims' family members and social contacts unless they paid substantial sums of money. Authorities noted that the scheme targeted individuals across multiple states, with victims often feeling compelled to comply due to the sensitive nature of the material.

The arrest follows complaints from multiple victims who approached police after being subjected to threats and blackmail. Investigators are continuing their inquiries to identify additional victims and recover evidence stored on digital devices seized during the operation. Police have appealed to anyone who may have been targeted by similar fraudulent accounts to come forward with information.