Cyber Fraudsters Target Families Of Missing Girls For Money In Bhopal

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting families of missing girls in a bid to extort money, according to police reports. In at least two instances, relatives received suspicious calls after registering missing person complaints. The callers claimed to have information about the missing girls and demanded cash for their safe return.

Police suspect that fraudsters are obtaining details from missing-person posts shared on social media and then using this information to prey on distressed families. A Class 8 student from Shivaji Nagar went missing on August 6, and her father received a call from an unknown number, claiming the girl was safe at a hotel and demanding Rs 25,000 for her return.

The family promptly informed the police, who discovered the call originated from a fraudster's mobile number active outside the state. The girl was later found hanging near her home. Police are investigating how the missing information reached the fraudsters. The Additional DCP (crime) advises families to remain vigilant, refrain from paying any money, and immediately report suspicious calls to the police for investigation.

Another case from Satna district involves a 21-year-old woman who went missing under the Rampur Baghelan police station area. The family has been receiving calls from suspected cyber fraudsters demanding between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1 lakh for information regarding her whereabouts.