Woman Duped of ₹5 Lakh in Chandigarh Scam

Chandigarh A disturbing case of deceit and betrayal has emerged from Chandigarh, where a woman became the victim of a scam amounting to ₹5 lakh. The accused, hailing from Panchkula and Kanpur, allegedly befriended her and then blackmailed her into handing over the money. Despite the registration of an FIR, both accused are yet to be arrested, raising serious concerns about the pace of investigation and justice delivery in such sensitive matters.

According to the complainant, the ordeal began when she got acquainted with the accused through social media. What started as a seemingly harmless friendship soon took a dark turn. As trust developed between them, the accused reportedly started manipulating her emotionally and eventually began blackmailing her. The nature of the blackmail is yet to be fully disclosed by the authorities, but preliminary reports suggest that private chats and personal images might have been misused.

The woman, fearing social humiliation and harm to her personal reputation, initially complied with the demands and transferred a sum of ₹5 lakh over multiple transactions. It wasn’t until she realized that the threats were not going to stop that she approached the police to register a formal complaint.

An FIR has now been lodged against two individuals under relevant sections of the IPC related to cheating, criminal intimidation, and misuse of digital platforms. The police have identified the accused as residents of Panchkula and Kanpur, and efforts are underway to trace their whereabouts. Officials have claimed that raids were conducted at their known addresses, but the accused were not found there.

The incident highlights a rising concern over cyber-related crimes, especially those targeting vulnerable individuals through emotional manipulation and blackmail. It also brings to the forefront the need for more proactive digital awareness and stronger law enforcement responses to such cases.

Locals in the area and women’s rights groups have expressed outrage over the incident, demanding swift justice and stronger cyber safety mechanisms. They insist that merely registering FIRs is not enough if the accused are not brought to book in a timely manner.

The victim is currently receiving legal and emotional support, but the trauma she has endured remains immense. Cases like these reflect a deeper societal issue about trust in digital friendships and the ease with which criminals are exploiting such connections for personal gain.

Authorities have urged people to remain cautious about who they interact with online and to report any suspicious behavior without delay. They also promised action and assured that justice will be delivered, though no timeline for arrests has been officially shared.

The case continues to develop, with more details expected to emerge as the investigation progresses. Meanwhile, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the dark side of online relationships and the vulnerability many still face in the digital world.