South Mumbai minor trapped in sextortion nightmare by UK-based predator

The caller, introducing himself as a friend, gradually gained her trust. “After realising she was young, he deliberately began bonding with her, initiating regular chats and calls,” said an officer from JJ Marg police station. Over time, the accused manipulated her into sending an obscene image of herself.

Once he had the material, his tone changed drastically. “He began blackmailing her, threatening to make the image viral if she didn’t send more explicit photos. When she hesitated, he used fear of public shame to pressure her,” the officer added.

The girl was emotionally distressed and was soon noticed by her parents. On checking her phone, they found the explicit exchanges. She broke down and narrated the entire episode, following which her father approached JJ Marg police station.

A case has been registered under Section 78(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Sections 11, 12, and 15 of the POCSO Act, and Section 67A of the IT Act for transmitting sexually explicit material.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the WhatsApp account carried the profile name UK Business and the number was UK-registered. The incidents reportedly took place between September 27 and 30.

Police are now working with telecom companies and cybercrime experts to trace the number. “We suspect the accused may be operating from overseas using spoofed or virtual numbers, but further technical analysis is underway,” an officer said.

Expert views

Ritesh Bhatia, cybercrime investigator, said, “This is a shocking case of online grooming, but sadly not uncommon. Predators manipulate minors, blackmail them, and in some cases push them towards suicidal thoughts. Parents must immediately approach police, silence only empowers the criminal.

At the same time, schools cannot treat this as optional; they must educate both parents and children about grooming, sextortion, and bullying. Unless families, schools, and law enforcement act together, more children will continue to suffer.”

Dr Rashmi Joshi-Shetty, Consultant Psychiatrist, “In counselling, we focus on listening, understanding their emotional state, and gathering background information. Without timely intervention, these children may fall into a deep emotional vacuum.”

She stressed that no one is immune to cybercrime. “Telling them ‘You’re not foolish’ is important, the guilt or shame they feel is misplaced. Just like road accidents happen without warning, these crises can also hit unexpectedly.”

According to her, the first step for families is to “kill the shame and seek help. Provide emotional first aid, clarify their feelings, listen without judgment. Victims may feel betrayed, cheated, or inferior, but this is not their fault. Left unchecked, they risk PTSD or even suicidal thoughts.”

“Such incidents are increasingly common and often appear attractive to youngsters,” she added. “Communication in the family is crucial, if not parents, then siblings, teachers, or friends. Many don’t even realise they need help, but some may require urgent psychological support.”

Digital Safety: Do’s & Don’ts

Do’s
>> Have open conversations about internet safety
>> Monitor apps, chats, and accounts used by your child
>> Educate them about grooming, bullying, and extortion
>> Teach them to say “No” and report suspicious chats
>> Use parental controls and monitoring tools
>> Know their online friends as you would their offline ones

Don’t
>> Don’t assume tech-savvy kids “know better”
>> Don’t allow unchecked privacy on devices
>> Don’t ignore sudden behavioural changes — they can be red flags
>> Don’t treat digital safety as a one-time talk; make it ongoing