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‘Suicidal thoughts strike every day’: India’s sextortion scourge

Published

3 years ago

2022/12/30

Bikaner and Sidhi, India –Shyam, a truck driver in northern India’s city of Prayagraj, had not had sex with his pregnant wife for six months when he saw an advertisement on the Telegram messaging app promising to make his fantasies come true.

Shyam, 44, was impressed by the ad’s formal tone and eagerly followed a link to a pink-themed website, where he was asked to pay a registration fee of 4,000 Indian rupees ($48.28).Shyam made the payment at his local bank and returned home excitedly to access the website, only to be asked to pay an additional 6,000 rupees ($72.44) for every session of cyber-sex. He paid the sum and was told to wait for a video call during the next 24 hours.

A few hours later, Shyam received a video call from an unknown number. Removing his shirt, Shyam stood in front of his phone’s camera and answered. After a few seconds, a naked young woman touching herself appeared on the screen. Then the call was cut short.As Shyam tried to figure out what had happened, he received a WhatsApp message from the same number along with a recording of the video call. The message came with a threat: Deposit 15,000 rupees ($181) to this bank account within 24 hours or this video will go viral.

Shyam estimated it would take him 10-12 months to save up that amount with his monthly salary of 20,000 rupees ($241), which is barely enough to support his family of four.

“My finances were already running dry, so I had to use the money I was saving for my son’s tuition,” Shyam told Al Jazeera, speaking on the condition that he be referred to by a pseudonym.

“My relief was short-lived as the payment was followed by calls and SMS messages blackmailing me to deposit 30,000 rupees ($362.14), which I eventually did by borrowing from friends.”

Shyam is among the growing number of victims of online sextortion in India.Once a phenomenon associated with public figures in Bollywood and politics, such scams have become more prevalent across all sections of Indian society alongside the ubiquitous rise of smartphones and fast internet.

While statistics on online sextortion scams are not available, 52,974 cybercrimes were reported in India in 2021, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), up from 44,735 cases in 2019.A total of 13,196 of those cases were registered under Section 67 of The Information Technology Act, 2000, which penalises the publication or distribution of obscene material in electronic form.

Many experts believe online sextortion is vastly underreported due to data-collection constraints and the social stigma of coming forward. – Al Jazeera

“The cases of this fraud saw a spike during the COVID-19 lockdowns as most people were confined at home working and got exposed to the internet more than ever before,” Rakshit Tandon, a cybersecurity expert based in Noida, told Al Jazeera.

“Internet penetration has also increased as smartphones and the internet reach lower-income groups.”

India has more than 932 million internet users, more than any other country apart from China, according to Statista. Statista estimates that figure will grow to more than 1.5 billion by 2040.People who are lonely or stuck in sexless relationships, young adults desperate to lose their virginity and older people with no outlet for desires are among those vulnerable to sextortion. People with poor digital literacy are considered especially at risk.

Scammers typically use fake personas to target their victims through social media, dating apps, spam text messages and online advertisements.The scam often begins with a friend request or message from a fake profile of an attractive female. Potential targets’ friends are also often contacted to use for the eventual blackmail. Before the scammers approach their target, their social media profile may be examined for evidence that they enjoy a flashy lifestyle.

Another common method involves posting links to scam websites and social media accounts under popular reels and videos on Instagram and Facebook, in Telegram groups, or on popular websites and forums. The scam websites often go to significant lengths to appear professional. In some cases, a pornographic video or sex worker is used to entice the person to perform sexual acts.

“The website pattern contributes to the formation of an authentic impression with a formal tone that is seen as professional,” Natwar, a 26-year-old admitted cyber-fraudster in Mewat, eastern Rajasthan, told Al Jazeera, asking to only be identified by his first name.

For would-be scammers in undeveloped regions such as Mewat, where the illiteracy rate is more than 30 percent, building an entire website can be difficult and time-consuming.Calling a target directly via WhatsApp or engaging them on social media is often more appealing.

“The chances of turning every attempt into a success are roughly the same in all techniques,” said Natwar, who has been arrested several times for cyber-fraud.

“Once we’re successful, we’ll make sure to save the naked photographs and screen record the video, which is blank from our end and lasts only six to 10 seconds, and cut the call.”

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Our goal is to build a “Thriving Nation” where a woman can walk without fear or doubt, where her talents are duly recognized, and where she can lead a life of dignity – PM

Published

3 hours ago

2026/03/8

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarsooriya in her message on International Women’s Day 2026 says that the governments goal is to build a Thriving Nation where a woman can walk without fear or doubt, where her talents are duly recognized, and where she can lead a life of dignity.

The PM’s message:

“I extend my greetings to all sisters and daughters in Sri Lanka and around the globe on the occasion of International Women’s Day.This year, the United Nations has declared the global theme for International Women’s Day as “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” emphasizing the realization of rights, the delivery of justice, and meaningful action for all women and girls.

Women are the true pillar of Sri Lankan society and economy. The role they play within the family and in society has today become a decisive factor in shaping the future of our nation. Through the Government’s policy statement, “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life,” we envision going beyond treating women as mere beneficiaries and recognizing them as active partners in national development, ensuring that they receive the dignity and opportunities they rightfully deserve.

Within our policy framework, special focus has been placed on women. We are committed to recognizing the economic contribution extended by women as housewives, promoting women’s entrepreneurship, and expanding access to the technical and financial support necessary for self-employment alongside strengthening the legal framework required to ensure women’s safety in public transport, workplaces, and within the family environment. Further, we are taking steps to create the environment to increase women’s representation in decision-making bodies at national and regional levels. Special attention is also being given to implementing targeted programmes aimed at improving women’s nutrition, reproductive health, and mental well-being.

Women are not a group seeking sympathy; they are vital social partners endowed with intelligence, resilience, and creativity. Our goal is to build a “Thriving Nation” where a woman can walk without fear or doubt, where her talents are duly recognized, and where she can lead a life of dignity

On this International Women’s Day, I sincerely hope that it marks the beginning of a new era in which the aspirations of all women in our country are realized as they shine before the world.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Sabaragamuwa, North-western and North-central provinces and in Colombo, Gampaha, Vavuniya, Mannar, Hambantota and Monaragala districts

Published

4 hours ago

2026/03/8

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. on 07 March 2026, valid for 08 March 2026.

Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Sabaragamuwa, North-western and North-central provinces and in Colombo, Gampaha, Vavuniya, Mannar, Hambantota and Monaragala districts

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

News

Lanka tea industry may lose $ 10-15 mn per week from ME war

Published

4 hours ago

2026/03/8

Thilina Walpola

The ongoing military conflict in the Middle East has adversely impacted on the Sri Lankan tea industry as the exporters are unable to supply tea to the region. The exporters estimate the revenue loss at about $ 10-15 million per week. The exporters have orders in hand for supply of tea and it is the logistical issues and war risk preventing them fulfilling such orders, the Tea Exporters Association (TEA) said in a statement.

“In order to mitigate the impact on the industry, the tea industry has jointly requested the government to support it in addressing the cash flow issue and consider absorbing a part of the additional freight and insurance charges. It has also requested government intervention to obtain the balance payment of about $ 50 million due on tea shipments already made to Iran under the barter deal,” TEA said on Friday.

The statement said approximately 52% of Sri Lanka’s tea exports reach the affected region mainly coming from the low grown area of the country dominated by tea smallholder farmers. According to 2025 tea export statistics, about 125 million kilograms of Ceylon tea were exported to the Middle East, with an estimated value of USD 750 million. The major importing countries of Ceylon Tea in the region include Iraq, Iran, Libya, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates. Though Libya and Turkey can be reached via Africa, the exorbitant freight charges have prevented the buyers in those countries from importing tea at the moment.

The supply routes to Middle East countries go via Strait of Hormuz and Red sea Suez Canal. Although there is no blockade on Suez Canal, due to the war risk both channels are currently not used by the major shipping lines. The tea exports to the region have almost come to a standstill due to the following reasons:

=All major shipping lines suspended their services to the region immediately after the outbreak of the conflict.

=Several seaports in the region were temporarily closed during the initial stages.

= Although a few shipping lines resumed limited operations from March 4, freight charges have

increased significantly by approximately USD 1,800 for a 20’ container and USD 3,000 for a 40’ container.

= Existing insurance coverage obtained by exporters is no longer valid.

=There is a lack of regular and scheduled vessels operating from Colombo to Middle Eastern destinations.

The tea exporters are experiencing serious cash flow constraints, as payments for shipments already

dispatched have been delayed due to the unsettled situation in the region. This has restricted exporters’

buying capacity and that was evident at this week’s tea auction, where overall prices declined by about Rs. 50/ per kg while low grown tea prices declined by about Rs. 75/ per kg.

If the situation continues for few more weeks it will have a serious impact on the tea auction as buyers may curtail the purchase of tea if the outward movements are restricted. This could directly impact on the income of the tea smallholder farmers.

In January 2026, the country earned $ 121.8 million from tea exports compared to $ 112.7 million in January 2025 (a 5% increase). The figures for February 2026 are not yet available but should be either similar to last year or higher. The disruption to tea exports in March will certainly affect the volume and value of the exports though the exact amounts cannot be estimated at this point.

According to the available data Sri Lanka has settled about 95% of its debt to Iran by supplying tea to Iran under the Tea for Oil mechanism. Even if the military conflict comes to an end, Sri Lanka will find it difficult to continue to supply tea to Iran unless a new mechanism is introduced. Under the prevailing US sanctions on Iran, the exporters may not be able to supply tea to Iran outside the barter system. Iran purchases about 11 million kg of tea from Sri Lanka annually under the barter deal.

The situation was discussed with the Minister of Plantation & Community Infrastructure at a meeting held on March 4, 2026.