We are only 21 days into the new year and the city has already reported three sextortion cases, all filed within six days. Sextortionists are targeting government officials or rich people based on their profile on social media platforms, police said. 

The extortion was rampant during the COVID-19 lockdown, but has cropped up again. However, police say reporting of these cases is important, as such instances usually go unreported due to shame.