After the emergence of the Internet, we are living in a digital era which is considered a boon for humanity. By positively using the internet, we can make our lives easier and happier. In the digital age, the internet has become an integral part of our daily lives. It has revolutionized the way we communicate, work, and connect with people from around the world.

But some anti-social elements or the black sheep of the community started exploiting that boon which converted it into a curse as well to some extent, this misuse of the internet gave birth to various social evils which ultimately emerged as a heinous nature of crime and threat to society and Sextortion is one of them.

In an era dominated by digital technology, the conveniences and benefits of connectivity and online communication have transformed the way we live and interact. However, with the increasing digitization of our lives, we have also witnessed the rise of new and disturbing crimes, one of which is sextortion. Sextortion, a portmanteau of "sex" and "extortion," is a reprehensible act that involves the coercion or blackmail of individuals into performing sexual acts or sharing explicit content by threatening to expose their intimate materials to the public. It is an alarming crime that reflects the darker side of our digital age.

The Alarming Rise of Sextortion in India

Sextortion has become a significant and growing menace in India, affecting people across various regions and professions. In Bengaluru, Karnataka, a man fell victim to a sextortion trap and lost Rs. 44,000 in just two hours through an online scam. In Delhi, a sophisticated sextortion racket was busted by the police, revealing a scheme where victims were lured via video calls on WhatsApp, leading to multiple cases of extortion and blackmail. Pune, Maharashtra, also witnessed a troubling incident where a retired army man was defrauded of Rs. 3.7 lakh in a similar sextortion case. The problem is not limited to isolated incidents; it is a nationwide epidemic, as highlighted by Social Media Matters, which underscores the widespread nature of sextortion and its impact on countless individuals across India.

Statistics from the first four months of 2024 reveal the alarming scale of the issue, with Indians reporting 7,000 online fraud complaints per day, many involving sextortion scams. During this period, the total financial loss due to these scams amounted to Rs. 1,750 crores. The Delhi High Court has described sextortion as a social menace, stressing the severe legal and societal implications, and the need for anticipatory bail for those accused of such crimes.

Additional cases further illustrate the pervasive nature of sextortion. In Bengaluru, another case involved a man losing Rs. 7.95 lakh due to an online dating-related sextortion racket. In Pune, a man was driven to suicide after receiving repeated sextortion calls demanding Rs. 51 lakhs. The Delhi Police's recent crackdown on a sextortion racket linked to 25 cases highlights the organized nature of these crimes, often orchestrated by groups in regions like Mewat. The phenomenon is not new, with reports from places like Rajasthan showcasing how entire villages have been involved in sextortion activities, further underlining the deep-rooted and widespread occurrence of this crime in India.

These incidents underscore the serious and extensive impact of sextortion across India, necessitating urgent attention and action to protect individuals from such predatory schemes.

Understanding Sextortion

Definition and Mechanisms

"The practice of extorting money or sexual favours from someone by threatening to reveal evidence of their sexual activity."[1]

The nature of Sextortion is quite similar to Extortion that is an offence defined under section 389 of the Indian Penal Code 1860 in which the victim is coerced by the predator to deliver money or some property to him or fulfil any of his demands by putting the victim under the threat of causing injury to him. Likewise in sextortion, the predator coerces the victim to deliver money or fulfil his demands which are usually sexual by putting the victim under threat of making the victim`s sexual activity public.

Victimology and Perpetrators

Victims of sextortion span all demographics, but certain groups are more vulnerable. Teenagers and young adults, who are prolific users of social media and digital communication platforms, are particularly at risk. Additionally, women and members of the LGBTQ+ community are often disproportionately targeted due to societal stigmas associated with sexual behaviour.

Perpetrators of sextortion vary widely, from individuals acting alone to organized crime groups. The anonymity provided by the internet emboldens many offenders, who exploit the difficulty of tracing digital activities across jurisdictions.

The Impact on Privacy

Psychological and Emotional Consequences
The invasion of privacy inherent in sextortion has profound psychological and emotional impacts on victims. The fear of exposure can lead to anxiety, depression, and in extreme cases, suicidal ideation. The sense of violation and loss of control over personal information can cause lasting trauma.

Social and Professional Repercussions
The threat or actual release of explicit material can have devastating social and professional consequences. Victims may face ostracism, damage to personal relationships, and career setbacks. The stigma associated with the content can further compound the victim's distress, particularly in cultures with conservative attitudes towards sexuality.

Legal and Ethical Concerns
Sextortion raises significant legal and ethical issues. Jurisdictions vary in their legal frameworks for addressing sextortion, with some lacking specific laws that clearly define and penalize the act. This inconsistency complicates law enforcement efforts and the provision of justice for victims. Ethically, the crime highlights the tension between privacy rights and the challenges of regulating digital spaces.

Elements of Sextortion
Sextortion, as a term, was coined to describe a form of cybercrime that involves sexual exploitation and extortion.

It usually unfolds in a series of steps:

• Initial Contact: The perpetrator often initiates contact with the victim, usually online. This contact might happen through social media, dating apps, or email. It can be a chance encounter, or the perpetrator may strategically target the victim.
   
• Establishing Trust: To achieve their goals, perpetrators often invest time in building trust with the victim. They may pretend to be someone they're not, employ flattery, or simply engage in seemingly normal conversations.
   
• Exchanging Explicit Content: As trust is established, the victim may willingly share explicit content, such as photos or videos, with the perpetrator, believing that the exchange is consensual.
   
• Coercion and Threats: This is the turning point. The perpetrator turns the tables by using the explicit content as leverage. They may threaten to share this material with the victim's family, friends, or colleagues, or even distribute it widely online unless the victim complies with their demands.
   
• Extortion: The perpetrator demands money, further explicit content, or sometimes coerces the victim into performing additional sexual acts. The victim, trapped in a web of fear and humiliation, may comply out of desperation.
   
• Ongoing Manipulation: The cycle can continue with ongoing threats and demands, effectively trapping the victim in a never-ending nightmare.
   
• Revelation or Escalation: In some cases, even after complying with the demands, the perpetrator may still choose to reveal the explicit content, causing immense humiliation and harm to the victim.

Sextortion is not limited to one demographic; anyone can fall victim to this crime, regardless of age, gender, or background. Perpetrators, likewise, can come from various backgrounds, and they employ a range of strategies to exploit their victims.

Evolution of sextortion

The earliest cases of sextortion date back to 2006, when a lady journalist dwelling in a typical Mumbai studio apartment and inured to online chatting, fell victim to a spear-phishing attack, where a malicious code called video keylogger virus was installed in her laptop.

Consequently, whatever she typed – all keystrokes got recorded in her laptop's hard disk and transferred via email to the cyber-criminal. Even her WebCam was unwittingly switched on and all images were similarly transferred. All videos and data were meticulously collated and used to blackmail the gullible victim. The girl attempted suicide and was later counselled.[2]

Historical background and development of Sextortion

Sextortion is a relatively recent phenomenon that has emerged with the widespread use of the Internet and digital communication technologies. It involves the coercion or blackmail of individuals, typically by threatening to release explicit or compromising images or information about them. The term "sextortion" is a portmanteau of "sex" and "extortion."

Here's a brief historical background and development of sextortion:

• Emergence of Digital Communication: The growth of the Internet and digital communication technologies in the late 20th and early 21st centuries provided new avenues for individuals to connect and share personal information, including intimate images and videos. As people started sharing more personal content online, opportunities for exploitation and abuse also increased.
   
• Early Instances: The first documented cases of sextortion began to surface in the early 2000s, as cybercriminals and predators recognized the potential for exploiting victims through sexually explicit materials. Perpetrators often used email or instant messaging to contact potential victims and threaten to share their explicit photos or videos unless they complied with their demands, such as sending more explicit content or money.
   
• Evolution of Techniques: Over time, perpetrators developed more sophisticated techniques, including the use of social engineering tactics to gain victims' trust and extract personal information. They often impersonated someone the victim knew or used fake profiles to establish a relationship before threatening to expose them.
   
• Rise of Social Media: With the rise of social media platforms, perpetrators gained access to a wider pool of potential victims. They could easily gather information about individuals from their public profiles and exploit this information in sextortion schemes.
   
• Legal Responses: Law enforcement and legal systems worldwide have been working to address sextortion. They have prosecuted numerous cases, leading to the arrest and conviction of perpetrators. Legislation has been enacted in various countries to classify sextortion as a criminal offence.
   
• Education and Awareness: Various organizations and law enforcement agencies have initiated awareness campaigns to educate the public about the risks of sextortion and provide guidance on how to protect oneself from falling victim to such schemes.
   
• Digital Privacy Measures: As sextortion became more prevalent, individuals and tech companies also started to take measures to protect digital privacy. Encrypted messaging services and privacy settings on social media platforms were introduced to help users better safeguard their personal information.
   
• High-Profile Cases: High-profile cases of sextortion have brought public attention to the issue, increasing awareness of the potential dangers of online interactions and the importance of protecting one's personal information and explicit content.
   
• The "Revenge Porn" Phenomenon: The sharing of explicit images and videos without consent, often referred to as "revenge porn," is closely related to sextortion. These cases involve the distribution of intimate content following a relationship breakup or as a form of retaliation.
   
• Webcams and Video Chat: With the advent of webcams and video chat platforms, sextortion expanded its scope. Perpetrators could coerce victims into engaging in explicit acts on camera, recording the content, and then threatening to share it if their demands were not met.

Sextortion remains a significant concern in the digital age, with new variations and tactics continually emerging. To combat it effectively, a combination of legal action, education, and technological safeguards is essential. Users should remain vigilant and cautious about sharing personal information and explicit content online, and they should report any sextortion attempts to law enforcement authorities.

Forms of Sextortion
Sextortion comes in various forms and is not limited to a single method or technique. Perpetrators employ a range of strategies to manipulate and exploit their victims, making this crime particularly challenging to combat. Understanding the different forms of sextortion is crucial for grasping the gravity of this emerging threat to privacy.

Non-Consensual Distribution of Explicit Content
One of the most prevalent forms of sextortion is the non-consensual distribution of explicit content. In this scenario, an individual who has previously shared intimate photos or videos with a partner finds those materials being used against them. The perpetrator, often an ex-partner or a hacker, threatens to make the explicit content public or share it with the victim's friends and family unless certain demands are met. These demands can range from sending more explicit material to paying a ransom.

Impersonation and Catfishing
Sextortionists may impersonate someone the victim knows and trusts. They create fake profiles on social media or dating apps, engage in online relationships, and manipulate their victims into sharing explicit content. Victims may believe they are sending such material to a trusted individual, only to discover that they were deceived.

Webcam Blackmail
Webcam blackmail is another form of sextortion where the perpetrator gains control of the victim's webcam and records them engaging in sexual activities without their consent. The attacker then threatens to share these videos with the victim's contacts unless the victim complies with their demands. This form of sextortion often occurs through malware or malicious software that provides unauthorized access to the victim's device.

Romance Scams
In romance scams, perpetrators create fake online romantic relationships with their victims. They gain their trust and manipulate them into sharing explicit material or performing sexual acts on camera. Once they have the compromising material, they use it to extort money or further explicit content.

The Psychology Behind Sextortion:
Understanding the psychology behind sextortion is essential to grasp why some individuals engage in such reprehensible behaviour. There is no single profile that fits all sextortionists, but several common psychological factors can be identified:

Power and Control: Many sextortionists derive pleasure from exerting power and control over their victims. The act of manipulating someone into doing something against their will is a source of satisfaction for these individuals.

Anonymity: The internet provides a cloak of anonymity for perpetrators. This anonymity allows them to act with impunity, reducing their fear of legal consequences.

Financial Gain: Some sextortionists are motivated by financial gain. They view their victims as a source of income and exploit their vulnerability to extract money.

Lack of Empathy: Sextortionists often display a lack of empathy for their victims, viewing them as mere tools to fulfil their desires or financial goals.

Thrill-Seeking: For some, sextortion provides a sense of thrill and excitement. The act of deceiving, manipulating, and exploiting others can be exhilarating for these individuals.

Combating Sextortion
Indian Scenario:

• India has witnessed a rapid growth in cases of Sextortion and also facing difficulties in handling such cases because there is no specific law to deal with the cases of sextortion and that is so because Sextortion itself has not been recognised as a particular offence in India.
• It is yet to be codified under IPC 1860(BNS 2023) or any other enactment is needed to be there to coup up with this serious threat.
• Sextortion is not an imaginary problem it is a harsh reality of the grey aspect of the virtual world.
• Not only India but the entire world is facing this unwanted menace came as a negative by-product of the digital revolution across the globe which has become a serious threat to privacy and morality.
• This threat is not limited to any individual or group of people rather it is a collective threat to the whole society because anyone can be the victim of Sextortion.
• Sextortion is a novel form of cybercrime which is committed using modern soft weapons like webcam, online friendship applications (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Telegram etc.), online dating platforms (Tinder, OkCupid, and Bumble etc.) and various other media transfer mediums.

One thing is to be noted that it is not officially recognized in India as an offence but the cases of Sextortion are being recorded across the country daily which is why it started finding a place in electronic and print media as the moot point in news channels and the headline of newspapers.

Laws dealing with Sextortion in India at present: [3]

• Section 66C of the Information Technology Act, 2000: This section deals with identity theft, which may be relevant if someone is impersonating the victim in a sextortion case.
• Section 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2000: This section deals with cheating by personation using a computer resource, which can apply if the offender impersonates someone to extort sexually explicit content or favours.
• Section 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000: This section deals with publishing or transmitting sexually explicit material in electronic form without consent, which may be relevant in sextortion cases.
• Section 354A of IPC 1860: This section deals with sexual harassment, which may apply in cases of unwanted sexual advances or threats associated with sextortion.
• Section 354C of IPC 1860: Pertains to capturing or publishing images of a woman engaging in a private act without her consent. This can apply in cases where intimate images are shared without consent.
• Section 384 of IPC 1860: This section covers extortion and may apply in cases of sextortion where money or other benefits are demanded.
• Section 509 of the IPC 1860: This section deals with acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman, which may be applicable in cases of sextortion that involve offensive or threatening communication.
• Section 292 of the IPC 1860: This section pertains to the distribution of obscene or sexually explicit material, which can be relevant in cases where explicit content is used as part of the extortion.

Jammu & Kashmir Became the First State in India to Bring a Specific Law to Deal With Sextortion
As I mentioned earlier there is no specific law to deal with Sextortion in India but in 2018 Jammu & Kashmir became the first state to recognise Sextortion as a particular offence and make legal provisions to curb it by amending the Ranbir Penal Code.

What is J&K's sextortion law?

A "specific offence Sextortion" has been "inserted" in the Ranbir Penal Code, an official statement said. "Amendments are being made in section 154, 161 and Schedule of Criminal Procedure Code and section 53 A of the Evidence Act to bring sextortion at par with similar offences prescribed under Ranbir Penal Code and the amendment is being made in Prevention of Corruption Act to amend the definition of misconduct and to provide that demand for sexual favours would also constitute misconduct within the meaning of section 5.

According to the amendments, "any persons in a position of authority or in a fiduciary relationship, or a public servant who abuses such position or fiduciary relationship to employ a physical or non-physical form of coercion to extort, request or demand sexual favours from any woman in exchange of some benefits or favours that such person is empowered to grant or withhold shall be guilty of the offence of sextortion".

They make it clear that "it shall be no defence that the sexual benefit was derived with the consent of the victim".

Festive offer
Those committing the offence of sextortion shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term not less than three years but may extend to five years and with a fine. The offence is "non-bailable" and "not compoundable".

Legal Implications of Sextortion

The legal implications of sextortion vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances of each case. However, most countries have laws in place to address cybercrimes, harassment, and blackmail, which can be applied to sextortion cases. Common legal consequences for sextortionists may include:

• Criminal Charges: Sextortion can lead to various criminal charges, such as extortion, harassment, and invasion of privacy.
• Imprisonment: Convicted sextortionists may face imprisonment, with the length of the sentence depending on the severity of the offense.
• Fines: Perpetrators may be required to pay fines as part of their punishment, which can vary based on the jurisdiction and legal framework.
• Civil Lawsuits: Victims of sextortion can also pursue civil lawsuits against their perpetrators to seek damages for emotional distress, loss of income, or other harm suffered.
• Registration as a Sex Offender: In some cases, a sextortion conviction may result in the perpetrator being required to register as a sex offender, which can have lasting legal consequences.

It is crucial for victims to report sextortion incidents to law enforcement agencies, as well as to preserve evidence, such as messages or emails, that can be used to build a case against the perpetrator.

Protecting Oneself from Sextortion

Prevention and protection are vital in the digital era to safeguard against sextortion. Here are some strategies to protect yourself from falling victim to this crime:

• Be Cautious Online: Avoid sharing explicit content with individuals you meet online or do not know well in person. It's challenging to verify someone's true identity on the internet.
• Protect Your Privacy: Secure your online presence by using strong, unique passwords and enabling two-factor authentication on your accounts. Be cautious about sharing personal information.
• Maintain Cyber Hygiene: Regularly update your devices, use reputable security software, and be vigilant against malware and phishing attempts that could lead to webcam blackmail or unauthorized access to your data.
• Be Sceptical: Verify the identities of people you interact with online. If someone is pressuring you to share explicit material or engage in explicit acts, be suspicious.
• Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the latest scams and threats in the digital landscape. Understanding the tactics used by sextortionists can help you recognize potential dangers.
• Report Suspicious Activity: If you believe you are being targeted or have fallen victim to sextortion, report it to law enforcement and relevant authorities immediately.
• Seek Support: Reach out to trusted friends and family for emotional support if you have experienced sextortion. Professional help, such as counselling, may also be beneficial.

The Dark Side of Digital Connectivity

Sextortion's rise is intrinsically linked to the digital age. The very tools that enable communication and connection also provide perpetrators with a cloak of anonymity and a wide pool of potential victims. Here are some key factors contributing to the emergence of sextortion:

• Anonymity: The internet allows individuals to conceal their true identities easily. Perpetrators can create fake profiles, use untraceable email accounts, and employ various anonymity tools to avoid detection.
• Global Reach: The internet knows no boundaries. Perpetrators can target victims from across the world, making it challenging for law enforcement to track and apprehend them.
• Disinhibition Effect: Online interactions can lead individuals to engage in behavior they might not consider in face-to-face situations. This can make victims more susceptible to sextortion.
• Social Engineering: Perpetrators often use social engineering techniques to manipulate victims emotionally. They exploit vulnerabilities, insecurities, and a victim's desire for connection and validation.
• Technological Advancements: Advances in technology provide perpetrators with increasingly sophisticated tools for manipulation, such as deepfake technology, which can create convincing fake videos.

The Perpetrators: Who Are They?
Sextortion perpetrators can come from diverse backgrounds, and their motives may vary.

Understanding the different profiles of sextortionists is essential in the fight against this crime:

• Predators: These individuals deliberately target and exploit vulnerable victims, often through deception and manipulation.
• Hackers and Cybercriminals: Some perpetrators are technically adept and use hacking techniques to gain access to explicit content, which they then use to extort victims.
• Revenge Seekers: In cases of past relationships gone sour, individuals may turn to sextortion as a means of revenge, seeking to damage the reputation and well-being of their former partners.
• Financial Motivation: For some, sextortion is primarily a financial crime. They target victims to extract money from them.
• Distributed Sextortion Rings: Organized groups may engage in sextortion for profit, with multiple individuals handling different aspects of the operation, from initial contact to financial extortion.

Legal Challenges and Response
The legal response to sextortion is complex, given the international nature of the crime and the challenges in identifying and apprehending perpetrators. Sextortion cases often involve multiple jurisdictions, making it difficult to coordinate law enforcement efforts. Furthermore, the evolving landscape of technology and online platforms complicates the legal framework surrounding sextortion.

International Collaboration
Given the global nature of the internet, international collaboration among law enforcement agencies is critical in tackling sextortion. Many sextortionists operate from one country, targeting victims in another. Collaborative efforts between countries can aid in the identification and prosecution of perpetrators. The Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, for instance, is an international treaty designed to facilitate cooperation in investigating and prosecuting cybercrime, including sextortion.

Legislation and Legal Framework
Legislation related to sextortion varies from one jurisdiction to another. While some countries have specific laws addressing sextortion, others rely on existing laws related to extortion, cybercrime, or harassment. Developing comprehensive and up-to-date legal frameworks that explicitly address sextortion is essential in the fight against this crime.

Victim Support
Supporting victims is a crucial aspect of combating sextortion. Law enforcement agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and mental health professionals must collaborate to provide victims with assistance, counselling, and resources to help them cope with the emotional and psychological aftermath.

Awareness and Prevention
Prevention is often the best defence against sextortion. Raising awareness about the risks and red flags associated with sextortion is vital. Educational programs in schools, workplaces, and communities can help individuals recognize potential threats and protect themselves from falling victim to this crime.

Technological Solutions:
In addition to legal and societal responses, technological solutions can help mitigate the risks of sextortion.

Here are some key measures that can be taken:

• Improved Privacy Settings: Social media platforms and online services should provide robust privacy settings that allow users to control who can view their content and interact with them.
• User Education: Online platforms can educate their users about potential risks and provide guidelines on how to protect themselves from sextortion.
• Two-Factor Authentication: Encouraging the use of two-factor authentication can enhance the security of online accounts and reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
• Reporting Mechanisms: Online services should have easy-to-use reporting mechanisms for users to report suspicious or abusive behaviour, ensuring a swift response from platform administrators.
• Technology-Assisted Detection: The development of AI and machine learning algorithms can aid in the detection of potential sextortion cases by identifying patterns of behaviour and content sharing that align with known sextortion tactics.

Need for a strong law to deal with the cases of sextortion in India
The need for strong laws to prevent sextortion in India, as in any other country, is crucial for several reasons we have data which says that India witnesses more than 500 cases of sextortion daily (less than 0.5% are registered as FIRs), making it the sextortion capital of the world.

• Protecting Individuals: Sextortion is a form of online harassment and extortion that can have severe psychological and emotional consequences on the victims. A strong law can help protect individuals from these harmful activities.
• Privacy and Consent: Sextortion often involves the non-consensual sharing of explicit images or videos, which is a breach of privacy and consent. Strong laws can deter individuals from engaging in such activities and provide justice to victims.
• Gender Equality: Sextortion disproportionately affects women and girls. A strong law can contribute to gender equality by providing legal recourse for victims and deterring potential perpetrators.
• Online Safety: As more people use the internet, it is essential to address the unique challenges of online safety. A strong sextortion law can help make the online environment safer.
• Cybercrime Deterrence: Strong laws act as a deterrent to potential sextortionists, helping to reduce the prevalence of such crimes and making it easier for law enforcement agencies to prosecute offenders.
• International Cooperation: Sextortion often involves cross-border elements, such as perpetrators in one country targeting victims in another. Strong laws and international cooperation are essential to address these cases effectively.
• Support for Victims: Strong laws can facilitate the provision of support services for victims, including counselling and legal assistance.
• Legal Clarity: Clear laws provide a framework for law enforcement, prosecutors, and the judiciary to handle sextortion cases effectively.
• Digital Evidence: Sextortion often leaves digital trails, such as messages, images, or videos. A strong law can help ensure the proper handling and admissibility of digital evidence in court.
• Public Awareness: Laws against sextortion can raise public awareness about the seriousness of the issue, which can help in preventing such crimes and encouraging reporting.

It's important to note that India, like many countries, has taken steps to address online harassment and cybercrimes. The Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008, contains provisions that can be used to prosecute individuals involved in cybercrimes, including sextortion. However, the effectiveness of these laws may vary, and there is always room for improvement in addressing emerging cyber threats.

a strong law against sextortion in India is necessary to protect individuals, ensure online safety, and uphold principles of privacy, consent, and gender equality in the digital age. Such a law should be comprehensive, clear, and capable of addressing the evolving nature of cybercrimes.

Conclusion
Sextortion is a distressing and reprehensible crime that has emerged as a dark consequence of our digital age. As we navigate the world of online connectivity, it's essential to be vigilant, educated, and proactive in protecting our privacy and personal boundaries. Awareness, prevention, legal action, and technological solutions all play vital roles in addressing this growing threat to individuals and society as a whole.

By shedding light on the mechanisms of sextortion, its impact on victims, and the multifaceted response required, we can collectively work toward a safer digital environment. In the battle against sextortion, knowledge is our most potent weapon, and our commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of individuals is our strongest defence against this disturbing crime.

As we move forward, we must continue to adapt and evolve our strategies to outsmart and outmanoeuvre the perpetrators who seek to exploit the vulnerable in the digital realm. The fight against sextortion is not only a legal and technological one; it is also a moral one, driven by our shared commitment to safeguarding the dignity, privacy, and mental well-being of individuals in the digital era.

References:

• https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/sextortion-trap-man-loses-rs-44-000-in-just-2-hours-2879473
• https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/delhi/story/delhi-sextortion-racket-video-call-whatsapp-doctor-delhi-police-mewat-2512050-2024-03-08
• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/retired-army-man-loses-3-7-lakh-sextortion-case/articleshow/105324203.cms
• https://www.socialmediamatters.in/our-work/online-safety/sextortion-a-nationwide-epidemic
• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/first-four-months-of-2024-see-7000-online-fraud-complaints-per-day-investment-fraud-sextortion-and-other-scams-that-indians-lost-rs-1750-crore-to/articleshow/110476085.cms
• https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/sextortion-social-menace-delhi-high-court-anticipatory-bail-9299696/
• www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/online-dating-turns-sextortion-racket-costs-man-rs-795-lakh-in-bengaluru-2774247
• https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/after-sextortion-calls-demanding-rs-51-lakh-man-commits-suicide-9370168/
• https://www.indiatvnews.com/crime/delhi-police-busts-sextortion-racket-two-mewati-accused-arrested-25-linked-cases-dcp-east-apoorva-gupta-statement-latest-updates-2024-03-07-920286
• https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rajasthan-village-sextortion-what-does-it-sextortion-mean-2301792-2022-11-25
• https://www.etvbharat.com/en/!state/alarming-rise-sextortion-cases-jharkhand-enn24033002891
• https://www.news18.com/india/bengaluru-sextortion-racket-busted-over-50-men-blackmailed-extorted-nearly-rs-35-lakh-8540534.html
• https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-becomes-first-state-to-bring-law-on-sextortion-1962938
• https://indianexpress.com/article/what-is/what-is-jks-sextortion-law-5494954/
• https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/jk-law-to-stop-sextortion-of-women/article25744927.ece
• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jammu/jammu-kashmir-becomes-first-state-to-criminalize-sextortion-of-women/articleshow/67101427.cms
• https://www.livelaw.in/jammu-kashmir-brings-in-law-against-sextortion/

End Notes:

1. Oxford Dictionary - https://www.lexico.com/definition/sextortion
2. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/india-becoming-sextortion-capital-of-the-world/
3. Indian Penal Code 1860 (BNS 2023)