Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Bhatkal, Jan 21: Bhatkal police have taken into custody a 19-year-old youth on charges of sending obscene messages to women and blackmailing them using fake social media accounts.

The accused has been identified as Mehran Mehtab Shabandari, a native of Manki in Honnavar taluk and a resident of Tulasi Katte, Kumta. He was pursuing a BCA course at a private college in Mangaluru, police said.

According to officials, the accused would secretly take photographs of women during social functions such as weddings attended by strangers. He allegedly uploaded these photographs on social media and sent obscene messages to the women through email. Police said the accused possessed as many as 18 fake email IDs.

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The accused allegedly harassed women by pressuring them to send nude photographs. If they refused, he would threaten them with dire consequences, including death threats, while invoking the names of Hindu religious leaders, officials added.

The case came to light after a woman from Bhatkal lodged a complaint at the Bhatkal Town Police Station. The matter was subsequently transferred to the cyber-crime division. Following an investigation, the accused was taken into custody.

After the detention of the accused, several other women have now approached the police with complaints. A case has been registered at the Bhatkal Town police station and further investigation is underway.

The accused has been produced before the court and remanded to judicial custody.