What to do if someone Blackmailing you with a video?

What to do if someone is blackmailing you with video? Blackmailing with video is one of the most common offences in India which has grown with the advancement of technology and digitalization. Generally, imagery is used for blackmailing individuals. Imagery can be categorised into static and motion. Static imagery includes pictures while motion imagery includes videos. Morphed pictures and videos are used to blackmail by the blackmailers. The video calling applications such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, etc. have contributed significantly to the cybercrimes. These video calling features have put a high risk on the user of being videotaped. Crimes such as cyberstalking which is frequently combined with pornography as well as sextortion has also become one of the major reasons behind blackmailing.

With software updates on the phone every now and then, an application is also featured that records WhatsApp audio and video chats, as well as screen recording on phone. Such an application has access to all content in an individual’s phone gallery.The major and common reason why people become victims of getting blackmailed by video is due to a lack of awareness of the applications on the phone, technology as well as legal implications.lets see with this blog what to do if someone is blackmailing you

What to do if someone is blackmailing you?

1. Blackmailing is a form of criminal intimidation. Thus if someone is blackmailing you with video to cause injury to your reputation or property, you can file a complaint under Section 503 of the Indian Penal Code.
2. Often offenders blackmail with video by forcing or making demands to the victim which are unlawful. This amounts to extortion which is a punishable offence under section 384 of the Indian Penal Code. A case under section 384 of IPC can be filed against the offender.
3. The victim has the authority under Section 108(1)(i)(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code to contact the magistrate in her area and inform him/ her about the person she suspects could distribute any obscene matter. The magistrate has the authority to detain such individuals and require them to sign a bond prohibiting them from disseminating the video of the victim.
4. Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code can be used by the victim of blackmailing where the offender threatens to disclose compromising pictures through electronic media.
5. A case under section 66E of the Information Technology Act 2000 can be filed for violating the privacy of an individual by capturing videos or disseminating pictures of an individual without their consent.
6. Similarly, a case under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act 2000 can be filed against the blackmailer for circulating videos to defame an individual.
7. Section 67A of the Information Technology Act 2000 is one such legal recourse against the blackmailer where using hidden cameras to record and circulate video clips is punishable.

How to deal if someone blackmails you with a video or  what to do if someone is blackmailing you with video?

1. Do not comply with requests- Don’t be scared and take matters into your own hands. Avoid complying with the demands and requests made by the blackmailer to threaten you. Doing so will land you in trouble and the blackmailer will carry out his motive.
2. Inform Police- Extortion and blackmailing are interlinked crimes. If the blackmailer threatens you to make a morphed video or any sensitive personal video public, then inform the police in the first instance. You can also report if the blackmailer blackmails you on theConsult Advocate/Lawyer- It is often tough to share such an issue of blackmailing with any other individual unless you trust them. This is where you can seek help from legal professionals such as a lawyer, who will not only aid in safeguarding your privacy but also navigate you through the process of getting justice. Lead India offers a wide range of accomplished cybercrime lawyers in India to advise and guide you in the process of filing a complaint.
3. Report cybercrime anonymously- Being a victim of cybercrime and blackmailing you can anonymously report the offence at www.cybercrime.gov.in.
4. Report at cyber cells- You can approach cyber cell to file a complaint of cybercrime in any city as cybercrimes don’t have any jurisdiction
5. If you are a woman facing such issues and not able to seek help from any other source, you can write a complaint of being blackmailed to the National Commission for Women.

Who can help you?

What to do if someone blackmails you? Reach out to Lead India to get expert advice and guidance in filing a complaint against the blackmailer for the offence committed by them or Talk to a Lawyer for Free Legal Advice or Ask a Legal Question. You can get the best cybercrime lawyer in India by connecting with you to solve your issues and aid in safeguarding your rights. We also offer a wide range of cybercrime lawyers in Delhi and Mumbai for navigating your case in the most favourable way and delivering you justice.