A 28-year-old woman residing in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor died by suicide days after allegedly being dragged into a ‘digital arrest’ scam, an emerging form of cyber-crime where crooks exploit fear and pose as law enforcement authorities to dupe people. Monika, the wife of Randhir and mother to two daughters Jiya (8) and Nandani (11), was found hanging in her room while her kids slept nearby. The incident came to light the following morning, when her daughters found her hanging.

Suicide note reveals Monika’s ordeal

The case took a grave turn when Monika’s family discovered a handwritten suicide note, mentioning the trauma she had endured. In the note, she addressed her younger daughter, writing, “Sorry Jiya, Mummy has to die.” Further in the note, she wrote that she had been under considerable pressure due to persistent blackmail.

The lines penned down by her read, “There is one person who is blackmailing me. He has been mounting pressure on me for a long time. Consequently, I am taking the extreme step.” Owing to social stigma, her family hesitated to approach the authorities. They performed her last rites, and upon discovering the suicide note, lodged a police complaint.

Digital trail blows the lid off sophisticated cyber-crime

The cops inspected Monika’s cell phone, and unearthed a disturbing digital trail. They found multiple calls, messages and audio clips sent to her from different numbers. A probe revealed that the callers had approached her by impersonating officials from the Crime branch, accusing her of serious offences, including trafficking, to frighten her.

Her kin alleged that the accused created the illusion that Monika was under ‘digital arrest.’

Calls ring even after Monika’s death

In a chilling twist, the harassment refused to cease with Monika’s death. During her cremation, a video call was received on her cell phone, which her nephew, Sanyog, answered. A man appeared in a police uniform on the video call, demanding to speak to Monika. When informed of her death, the caller threatened legal action. He continued to make calls in the following days, with threats directed at Monika’s husband and family.

FIR registered, police probe on

Randhir approached the police, after which they registered a case at the city’s Kotwali police station, under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The cops are analysing the suicide note at present and the data recovered from the cell phone to trace and apprehend the accused.