Sextortion & Honey Trap Scams

What is this scam?

Sextortion involves criminals who trick victims into sharing intimate images or videos — or fabricate them using AI — and then use them to extort money. Honey trap scams involve romantic or sexual enticement used to compromise the victim for financial gain or blackmail. These crimes cause severe psychological damage and have in some cases led to suicide. They are serious criminal offences under Indian law.

How it works — step by step

1. 1

   Stranger connects on WhatsApp, Instagram, or a dating app — claims to be an attractive woman or man seeking friendship.

2. 2

   Conversation quickly becomes intimate. Scammer encourages the victim to share intimate photos or video call in a compromising manner.

3. 3

   Scammer records the video call or screenshots the images without consent.

4. 4

   Victim receives a message: 'Pay ₹X or I send this video to your contacts, family, and employer.'

5. 5

   If victim pays — demands escalate. The scammer never stops.

6. 6

   AI variant: scammer takes a publicly available photo and generates fake explicit images using AI software.

Common variants (4)

🚩 Red flags — warning signs

• ⚠️Stranger met online escalates to intimate conversation very quickly
• ⚠️Person requests intimate photos or video call in a sexualised way soon after meeting
• ⚠️Receiving a threat claiming they have intimate photos of you
• ⚠️Payment demanded via UPI, crypto, or gift cards to 'prevent' sharing

✅ What to do if you've been targeted

1. 1DO NOT PAY — payment never ends the blackmail, it proves you will pay
2. 2DO NOT DELETE evidence — screenshot all threatening messages
3. 3BLOCK the blackmailer — do not engage further
4. 4FILE COMPLAINT at cybercrime.gov.in — Cyber Crime Against Women / Men
5. 5CALL 1930 immediately
6. 6Report the profile/account to the platform (WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram)
7. 7Contact NCW Helpline: 7827170170 (for women)
8. 8Call iCall: 9152987821 for mental health support — you are not alone

📋 Official resources & complaint portals

• →cybercrime.gov.in
• →NCW Helpline: 7827170170
• →iCall: 9152987821
• →1930

⚖️ Legal protection

IT Act Section 66E (privacy violation — 3 years), 67A (publishing obscene material — 7 years). IPC 384 (Extortion). These are COGNIZABLE offences — police must register FIR.