Instagram Blackmail: Man Extorts Gold and Cash from Married Bengaluru Woman, Posts Intimate Photos, Gets Arrested – Report | Bengaluru

According to Radhika’s (name changed) complaint, she married in 2012 and has an 11-year-old daughter. Although she and her husband, a real estate entrepreneur, had grown apart in recent years, they still lived together. At the beginning of 2021, Radhika met Naik on Instagram. Using accounts under the names ‘Abhi_373’ and ‘Abhishek_Naik_373’, Naik struck up a friendship which eventually turned personal with Radhika confiding in him about her marital problems, the report said.

The couple began frequent video calls and exchanges, with Radhika eventually feeling comfortable enough to share personal photos and videos. Over time, as the relationship deteriorated, Naik began blackmailing her with explicit content, the release said. He repeatedly demanded gold and cash and threatened to share her photos if she refused. When Radhika ran out of valuables, Naik made good on his threats, contacted her husband and shared pictures, which led to her being evicted from her matrimonial home in May.

Seeking distance, Radhika changed her phone number and moved in with her sister. However, Naik persisted and even tracked down her sister’s address and showed explicit photos to people in the neighborhood. Concerned for her safety, Radhika contacted the police, who caught Naik near her sister’s residence, the release added.

Naik was arrested and is facing charges under the Information Technology Act and sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including voyeurism and extortion. The case highlights the growing problem of digital blackmail and privacy violations in online relationships.