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If you get anonymous threats online or you are blackmailed online, you can file a complaint with the cyber cell. To file a complaint, it is not necessary to know who is responsible for the crime. You should try and tell the police whatever you know, but you don’t have to know all the details. The person threatening or blackmailing you may be punished with jail time up to seven years or a fine or both.1
- Section 507, The Indian Penal Code, 1860; Section 503, The Indian Penal Code, 1860; Section 506, The Indian Penal Code, 1860. [↩]
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Online Harassment and Violence against LGBTQ+ Persons
Online abuse happens on various platforms on the internet - social media, chat forums, etc. When faced with online abuse, your first step should be to see what the policy of the platform where the abuse is happening, and what steps the platform recommends for you to stop it.
Dhaval Korde
July 12, 2022
I have Faced with Online Blackmail. Today and he/she is send Video to my facebook friends
Nyaaya
August 8, 2022
Please refer to our explainer Reporting Online Abuse to file a complaint.
Hassan
July 14, 2023
He seduction me on Facebook and take screen recordings on vedio call now he said give me money than I uploaded your vedio on all social media sites
Alka Manral
August 20, 2024
I’m sorry to hear about your situation. You can consider blocking this person and contacting facebook to remove if any videos have been uploaded. Further, lodge a complaint with the Cyber Crime Cell online through the Cyber Crime portal of India (https://cybercrime.gov.in/.You) can also file a First Information Report (FIR) at your local police station for extortion under section 306 of BNS,66E and 67 of the IT Act for publishing your images. further, if you’re a woman, you can also file voyuerism under Section 76 of BNS. Provide all evidence, such as screenshots and chat logs.
You can contact National Commission for Woman if you face any difficulty, and are better occupied to help you in this situation.
Poly
July 30, 2022
This was helpful.
Someone has been stalking and abusing me on “Confessout” page and since its an annonymous messaging website, i don’t know the identity. It has been 3+ years. All the vulgar and offensive messages are from the same person. I am totally clueless on what to do. This person even sends me stalking messages like they stalk me in public and message me annonymously on the website about what i wore and how i was looking. This is really traumatising for me to know someone is so abnormally obsessed with abusing and stalking me for absolutely no reason. I doubt certain people though. It will be really helpful if anyone can help me with the issue. I am from Assam, India.
Nyaaya
August 8, 2022
You may file a complaint by referring to our explainer on Reporting Online Abuse
Syed arsh
August 19, 2022
Someone abusing my sister’ on her Instagram live video streaming
Nyaaya
August 19, 2022
You may refer to our explainer on Reporting Online Abuse to file a complaint.
Rajendra
August 21, 2022
Me and my wife photos attached with nude photo and viral by yogita maida on Instagram account url is https://instagram.com/its_maida_2036?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Please do needful many people get our edit pics by yogita maida and we are mentally very stressed.
Nyaaya
August 22, 2022
You may file a complaint following the steps given in this explainer.
Aashutosh
October 17, 2023
As there’s a anonymous person who’s been blackmailing me and demanding for money and if i don’t give him the money he is threatening me by stating that he will Viral mine and my fiancee report as we are getting married next month and iam not able to understand how to deal with it without letting anyone know about it
Sikha
December 7, 2024
Hi, if someone has been threatening you and demanding money, it is extortion. Extortion is a crime that is addressed under BNS (Indian Criminal Law), you can find it in Section 308. Here they are threatening to publish material of you and your finance so that you will give them money, this is illegal and punishable with 7 year imprisonment.
You should approach the police and file an FIR for the same. Police will take care of the matter and ensure that they are arrested for this crime. You do not have to let anyone else know if you don’t want, filing an FIR for the same would be sufficient. Keep evidence of what demands and threats were made as well in case you want to pursue a criminal case.
Usually just the threat of FIR and police involvement is sufficient to stop their harassment, but you can keep proof of the same in case you want to pursue it further. you can also file a complaint through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (https://cybercrime.gov.in/), If the blackmail is happening online.
Gaurav Saklani
November 16, 2023
Hello I have abuse someone on a post which is about cricket and I said few bad word which i realised I was wrong but before I could reachout to that guy he deleted that comment and I blocked him instantly but now he hide his comment and taking screenshot of it and send it.to my company insta profile I feel bad and stressed what to do
Sikha
October 21, 2024
Ask Nyaaya Sheet – NLS LSC
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1) Even though the person has blocked or deleted their comment, it’s important to acknowledge your error. If you can reach them directly, try to apologize sincerely. If not, and if they continue sending messages to your company, consider drafting an apology message publicly or privately.
2) Proactively explain the situation to your company before they approach you. Admit that you made a mistake, but express that you’ve learned from it and are taking steps to correct your behavior
3) It’s natural to feel defensive, but responding with anger or trying to justify your behavior may make things worse. Stay calm and react constructively if the person continues to send messages.
4)Everyone makes mistakes; learning from them is the important part. Be mindful of how you interact online moving forward and try to cultivate a positive and respectful presence
1) Even though the person has blocked or deleted their comment, it’s important to acknowledge your error. If you can reach them directly, try to apologize sincerely. If not, and if they continue sending messages to your company, consider drafting an apology message publicly or privately.
2) Proactively explain the situation to your company before they approach you. Admit that you made a mistake, but express that you’ve learned from it and are taking steps to correct your behavior
3) It’s natural to feel defensive, but responding with anger or trying to justify your behavior may make things worse. Stay calm and react constructively if the person continues to send messages.
4)Everyone makes mistakes; learning from them is the important part. Be mindful of how you interact online moving forward and try to cultivate a positive and respectful presence
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Sikha
December 7, 2024
1) Even though the person has blocked or deleted their comment, it’s important to acknowledge your error. If you can reach them directly, try to apologize sincerely. If not, and if they continue sending messages to your company, consider drafting an apology message publicly or privately.
2) Proactively explain the situation to your company before they approach you. Admit that you made a mistake, but express that you’ve learned from it and are taking steps to correct your behavior
3) It’s natural to feel defensive, but responding with anger or trying to justify your behavior may make things worse. Stay calm and react constructively if the person continues to send messages.
4)Everyone makes mistakes; learning from them is the important part. Be mindful of how you interact online moving forward and try to cultivate a positive and respectful presence
Kriti
December 4, 2023
I got a call from an unknown number and I only said him chuitya why is he calling but now he is calling me every 12 times and he is texted to me threatening me and using bad words
Alka Manral
June 10, 2024
It sounds like you’re dealing with a challenging situation. If someone is repeatedly calling you and sending threatening messages, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself.
1. Block the Number: Block specific numbers. You can usually do this directly from your call or message history.
2. Report the Number: If the calls and messages continue despite blocking, you can report the number to your phone carrier. They may be able to take action to stop the harassment.
3. Complain or report against UCC BY CALLING ON 1909: If you think the message or call received is UCC or spam, you can complain or report it to your Telecom Service Provider (TSP). This won’t stop all messages but it may allow TSP to take action.
Abhinav saraswat
April 4, 2024
My brother thereaten to cancel my degree reapt after reapet everyday which u earned by hardwork
Alka Manral
May 21, 2024
Your brother cannot cancel your college degree. Only the university from which you graduated has the power to do that, that too only when there is something wrong. So, you can be assured that your brother is making baseless threats.
Further, if you want to take legal action against your brother, you can file an FIR for Section 503 of IPC. This section will apply when your brother is threatening to cause injury to your reputation so that you are scared or so that you do something you do not want to do.
Sikha
December 7, 2024
Your brother cannot cancel your college degree. Only the university from which you graduated has the power to do that, that too only when there is something wrong. So, you can be assured that your brother is making baseless threats.
Further, if you want to take legal action against your brother, you can file an FIR for Section 503 of IPC. This section will apply when your brother is threatening to cause injury to your reputation so that you are scared or so that you do something you do not want to do.
Neetu Agrawal
June 18, 2024
A want to complain about the social Harrasment and the hate speech and false words to me and my family. The person is blackmailing me by sending my photo and saying that he will make nudes of my photo and viral it every where. He is touring me mentally and I am very Traumatized because of this all. He is blackmailing me continuously and saying me bad words and touring me. The person was with some more people who were with him and saying me bad words on my character and on myself. The main person who started this thing is @the_ambitious_one09 this is his Instagram id and his others friends were with him and they are not stopping themselves and doing this bullshitt without any reason. I request to please take a strong action on this guy and make him realise about his mistake. And one of his friend named kunal sharma his phone number is 8307226289 was also with that guy and they continuously touring me without any reason.
Sikha
October 21, 2024
First, take screenshots of any texts you have received from this insta id. Then block the Instagram id. Report this Instagram handle at https://help.instagram.com/192435014247952
File a report at the nearest police station under Section 77 of the BNS for the unauthorized sharing of images online.
You can file charges for criminal intimidation under Section 351(1) of the BNS and defamation under Section 356(1) of the BNS.
You can also file charges under section 66E for violation of privacy and sections 67, 67(A), of the IT Act for publishing obscene material online.
If you are a minor (under 18) and the accused is an adult (above 18), you can file charges under Sections 13, 14, and 15 of the POCSO Act for child pornography, which includes any nude photographs taken or transmitted to exploit a child under 18 and under section and 67(B) of the IT Act for publishing depiction of children in sexually explicit act.
If you encounter difficulties in getting an FIR registered, contact the police commissioner. You can also reach out to the National Commission for Women for assistance in dealing with the police. http://www.ncw.nic.in/helplines