The Coimbatore district police on Sunday apprehended two individuals who allegedly blackmailed, harassed, and extorted a college woman using a secretly recorded WhatsApp video call. The arrested suspects have been identified as Arun alias Annamalai, 21, and Santhosh, 23, both residents of Mettur in Salem district.
Incident Details
According to police reports, the victim is a final-year BE student at a private college in Coimbatore and resides in a women's hostel. In April 2026, seeking financial assistance for her grandmother's cancer treatment, she approached her schoolmate, Arun, for help. She entrusted him with two sovereigns of gold jewellery to pledge and raise funds. However, after taking the jewellery, Arun failed to provide her with the money. Instead, he introduced her to his friend, Santhosh, claiming that he would arrange the funds.
When the student contacted Santhosh, he induced her into an intimate WhatsApp video call under the pretext of arranging the money. Believing his assurances, she complied. Santhosh secretly recorded the video call and shared it with Arun. Arun began threatening her, warning that he would leak the clip on social media if she did not give him money. She handed over Rs 2 lakh and an additional three sovereigns of gold coins to him.
Ongoing Extortion
Santhosh also began using the same video to blackmail her, demanding more cash and jewellery. Unable to bear the continuous extortion, she lodged a formal complaint on Saturday night. The Kovilpalayam police launched an investigation and traced the suspects through cyber surveillance. A special team tracked down and secured both Arun and Santhosh on Sunday.
Legal Action
Both suspects have been remanded in judicial custody. The police continue to investigate the matter to ensure justice for the victim.
