A video call comes from an unknown number, late in the evening.
You answer, and there is explicit content on the screen.
A few minutes later, you receive a recording of yourself on that call.
Then the message: pay, or this goes to all your contacts.
Who does this happen to?
Anyone with a phone.
Young people, professionals, senior citizens, men and women.
It is not about something you did wrong.
The scammers record your face for a few seconds and edit the rest.
Should I pay to make it go away?
No.
Paying does not end it.
It tells them you will pay, and the demands usually come again, bigger each time.
Reporting it is what gives you real protection.
What should I do right now?
Stop replying, and do not negotiate.
Do not delete anything yet.
Take screenshots of the chats, the numbers, the profile and any payment details they sent.
Then block the number on WhatsApp and report it from inside the app.
Where do I report it?
Report it at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930.
The portal has a category for this kind of crime.
You can also report the number on Chakshu at sancharsaathi.gov.in.
If you are being threatened right now, call 112.
Should I tell anyone?
Tell one person you trust.
Being alone with it is exactly what the scammer wants.
If they say they will send it to your contacts, you can warn close family first, briefly.
"Someone is trying to blackmail me with a fake video. Ignore anything you receive."
How do I stop it happening again?
Do not answer video calls from unknown numbers.
On WhatsApp, open Settings -> Privacy -> Calls and silence unknown callers.
Keep your profile photo and contacts private.
Things to Remember
- Never pay. Paying only brings more demands.
- Save screenshots, then block and report the number.
- Report at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930.
- Tell someone you trust, so you are not handling it alone.
- Silence unknown callers in WhatsApp's privacy settings.