The Coimbatore district police arrested two men within hours of receiving a complaint from a 21-year-old engineering student who alleged that she was blackmailed and extorted using a secretly recorded WhatsApp video call.

The accused have been identified as Arun alias Annamalai (21) and Santhosh (23), both natives of Salem district. Police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.

Financial help request turned into ordeal

According to police, the victim, a final-year BE student studying at a private college in Kovilpalayam, had approached Arun, a former schoolmate, in April seeking financial assistance for her grandmother’s cancer treatment.

Trusting him, she handed over nearly two sovereigns of gold jewellery to be pledged for funds. However, Arun allegedly failed to arrange the promised money and later introduced her to Santhosh, claiming he could help.

Police said Santhosh gradually gained her trust and maintained regular contact with her.

Secret recording used for blackmail

Investigators revealed that Santhosh allegedly persuaded the student to participate in an inappropriate WhatsApp video call under the pretext of processing financial assistance.

Unaware that the conversation was being recorded, the student agreed. Police said Santhosh secretly recorded the call and later shared the footage with Arun.

Arun allegedly threatened to release the video on social media unless she complied with his demands. Fearing public exposure, the student reportedly paid around ₹2 lakh in cash and handed over additional gold valuables, including gold coins weighing approximately three sovereigns.

Police said both accused later continued demanding money and jewellery while threatening to circulate the video.

Swift police action

Unable to endure the continued harassment, the student lodged a complaint at Kovilpalayam police station on the night of June 13.

Acting swiftly, police launched an investigation and traced both accused within eight hours. They were arrested by the following morning and later remanded to judicial custody.

Police have urged the public, especially students, to report online blackmail and cyber extortion attempts immediately.