Ahmedabad Woman Alleges Cyber Harassment, Fake Instagram Accounts And Extortion Threats

A 28-year-old software company employee from Ahmedabad has approached the Navrangpura police, alleging that an unidentified person repeatedly harassed her and her family online, created fake email IDs and Instagram accounts in her name, misused her photographs and threatened to circulate objectionable images unless she paid ₹77,000 and handed over an iPhone.
The complaint was filed by Suman (name changed), who works in Ghatlodia and resides in Navrangpura. Police registered the case on August 14 following a series of alleged incidents that began in May.

Trouble Started After Parcel Delivery

According to the complaint, Suman had booked a parcel through the PayDo application on May 23 for delivery to a friend in Ghatlodia. A Rapido rider, identified as Brijesh Jayantilal Kanani, collected the parcel, following which she paid ₹77 through Google Pay.
The complainant alleged that after the delivery, the rider contacted her seeking an OTP and claimed that he had not received the payment. He allegedly asked her to transfer the amount to another mobile number.
Suman said she shared a screenshot of her bank statement showing the transaction, but the rider allegedly continued to insist that he had not received the payment. He later allegedly told her that he would visit her residence to collect the money.
As she was not at home, Suman arranged for the amount to be given through neighbours. She subsequently complained about the rider's alleged behaviour through the Rapido application.

Multiple OTPs, Login Attempts Reportedly Followed

Three days later, on May 26, Suman allegedly began receiving a large number of OTPs from Rapido and other companies on her phone and email account.
She also allegedly received WhatsApp messages, Google Pay payment requests and OTPs indicating attempts to access her WhatsApp account.
According to her complaint, similar OTPs and messages were also received by members of her family.
She further alleged that someone submitted a business-related form on the website of her employer using her identity and entered objectionable content in the personal-details section.
Suman said she had earlier approached the Cyber Crime authorities regarding the matter and received an acknowledgement.

Fake Email IDs And Instagram Accounts Created

The complainant alleged that fake email accounts were subsequently created using her name and that objectionable messages were sent through them.
The matter allegedly escalated in July when she discovered fake Instagram profiles using her name and photographs.
On July 17, a colleague reportedly informed her about one such Instagram account. Suman said she confirmed that the account was not operated by her and subsequently posted a story from her genuine account asking people to report the fake profile.
She alleged that more fake accounts were then created using variations of her name. Her photographs were allegedly used as profile pictures, while derogatory and objectionable content was posted through the accounts.

₹77,000 And iPhone Allegedly Demanded

According to the complaint, Suman contacted one of the fake Instagram accounts through a friend's account and questioned the person behind it.
The person allegedly demanded an apology, ₹77,000 and an iPhone. The complainant alleged that she was threatened with the circulation of objectionable or morphed photographs among her friends, relatives and other contacts if she failed to comply.

Police Probe Digital Trail

Navrangpura Police have registered a case against the unidentified person allegedly operating the fake accounts.
Investigators are examining the Instagram profiles, email IDs, phone numbers, OTP attempts and digital records linked to the case. Police are also checking whether the person behind the alleged cyber harassment is connected to the earlier parcel-delivery dispute.
The investigation will also examine the alleged misuse of Suman's photographs, the creation of fake accounts and the digital trail associated with the alleged extortion demands.