Educator, 48, Trapped in Online Extortion Scam

A respected educator from Beau-Bassin, Mauritius, has become the victim of an online extortion attempt after falling prey to a deceptive website. The 48-year-old father of three, whose identity has been withheld, reported to police that he was blackmailed for money after an online interaction, sparking a wider warning about the dangers of internet platforms.

The ordeal began in August when the educator, a resident of Mare Gravier, stumbled upon a site named “Atlas Escort” on his mobile phone.

He soon discovered it was a pornography site. In a moment of what he describes as “imprudence,” he initiated a WhatsApp conversation with one of the phone numbers linked to the site.

The Extortion Unfolds

On Saturday, 13 September, the man began receiving messages from an anonymous number.

The blackmailer claimed to have recorded their conversations and taken screenshots. The threats were clear: if he didn’t pay up, the conversations would be released on social media, ruining his reputation.

Panicked, the victim transferred an initial payment of Rs 8,000 via MCB Juice to the blackmailer’s number.

However, the demands didn’t stop. A half-hour later, the extortionist pressured him for more money, and the educator sent an additional Rs 1,000.

The threats escalated the following day, with the victim receiving multiple abusive text messages.

He is fearing that compromising publications will destroy his public image and threaten his marriage.

Police Investigate and Issue a Warning

Driven by panic and fear, the educator filed a formal complaint with the Coromandel police. This case is not an isolated incident; both the police and the ICTA have regularly warned the public about the proliferation of online extortion rings.

The modus operandi is often the same: enticing websites, initial contact, and then threats to extract money.

Authorities are now investigating the case, working to identify the culprit, trace the transactions, and track down the perpetrators.

The police are urging the public to be cautious online, advising individuals to avoid contact with dubious sites and, crucially, to never give in to blackmailers’ threats.

Instead, they recommend immediately reporting any such incidents to the authorities.

Source: Defi Media