Loneliness amid the lockdown, especially among youngsters, has resulted in people falling victim to sextortionists who are targeting social media users on sites like Facebook and Instagram. mid-day reached out to people targetted by such crooks who first befriend them through a fake account, gradually develop a friendship and ask them to come on a video call.

Cyber experts believe that sextortionists are getting bolder with every day as they are aware that most cases go unregistered and police's hands are legally tied.