Mangaluru: Youth allegedly extorted of Rs 5.24 lakh over morphed photo threat

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Sep 16, 2026: A 19-year-old youth was allegedly cheated and extorted of ₹5,24,712 by a person he befriended on Instagram, who later threatened to circulate a morphed obscene photograph of him among his social media followers.

According to a complaint filed at the CEN Police Station, the youth came into contact with a person using the name “Jam Shed” on Instagram. The person allegedly shared a mobile number in the comments and asked the youth to continue the conversation on WhatsApp.

When the youth began communicating with the person on June 19, the accused initially demanded ₹300. After repeatedly calling and pressuring him, the accused allegedly persuaded the youth to transfer the amount through UPI to a scanner provided by him.

The accused later allegedly contacted the youth using different WhatsApp numbers and demanded more money. When the youth refused, the accused sent him a morphed photograph combining his image with an obscene picture and allegedly threatened to share it with his Instagram followers.

Fearing that the image would be circulated, the youth allegedly transferred money in multiple instalments between June 19 and July 23 to different UPI scanners provided by the accused. In total, he reportedly transferred ₹5,24,712.

The complainant has urged the police to take legal action against those allegedly involved in threatening him with the circulation of the morphed image and fraudulently obtaining money from him.