In a chilling reminder that cybercrime cuts across age groups, Cuttack police have uncovered a large-scale sextortion racket in which even senior citizens were allegedly involved in defrauding another elderly person, leading to a financial loss of about ₹88 lakh.
According to a release from the deputy commissioner of police, Cuttack, the case was registered on 19 January 2026, at the cybercrime and economic offences police station, following a complaint by a 72-year-old retired state government employee.
The victim alleged that he was cheated and extorted over several months by a group of accused who first befriended him on Facebook and later used intimidation and blackmail to extract money.
Police say the principal accused, Saroj Kumar (SK) Jena, initially contacted the victim on Facebook in January 2025 and gradually built trust through repeated personal meetings at hotels in Cuttack, including Roxy Hotel, Sagar Hotel and Jagabandhu Hotel.
In May 2025, Mr Jena allegedly sought ₹1.48 lakh from the victim on the pretext of medical treatment. The amount was transferred online and later repaid within two months — a move investigators say was deliberate and designed to strengthen the victim’s confidence in him.
Subsequently, Mr Jena again approached the victim, claiming he needed money for his daughter’s treatment. When the victim refused further financial help, the accused allegedly devised a more sinister plan.
According to police, the accused made a WhatsApp video call to the victim in which a nude woman appeared on the screen. Unknown to the victim, the call was secretly recorded.
“The recorded video was later used to threaten and intimidate the victim, with repeated warnings that it would be circulated on social media if money was not paid,” the DCP says in the release.
Under continuous pressure and fear of public humiliation, the victim transferred money multiple times to different accounts linked to the accused. Investigators estimate that a total amount of about ₹88 lakh was extorted through online transfers and other payments.
Following the complaint, a special investigation team (SIT) was formed.
During coordinated raids conducted on 19th January and 20 January 2026, police arrested five accused — four from Jajpur district and one from Bhubaneswar. Notably, two of those arrested are senior citizens themselves: a 65-year-old and a 60-year-old, underscoring how elderly individuals are not just victims but, in some cases, active participants in cyber fraud.
The arrested accused include Manoj Kumar Jena (27), Sangram Jena (22), Basudev Rout (25), Prafulla Kumar Biswal (65) and Manaranjan Routray (60). Police say efforts are ongoing to apprehend the principal accused, SK Jena, who remains absconding.
During searches, police seized cash amounting to ₹14 lakh, gold jewellery, silver articles, two vehicles — including a TVS iQube scooty and a Royal Enfield motorcycle — and froze more than ₹5 lakh in bank accounts linked to the accused. Other associated accounts are under verification, according to the police.
In its advisory to the public, the Cuttack police warned that sextortion has emerged as a serious social menace, causing severe psychological trauma, particularly among elderly victims.
“People should avoid accepting friend requests from strangers, refrain from sharing private images or videos and immediately report any suspicious activity,” the police says, urging victims not to suffer in silence and to contact the 1930 cybercrime helpline or the nearest police station.
Police also assured that the identity of complainants would be kept confidential and strict action would be taken against those involved.
The case highlights a troubling evolution in cybercrime, where age is no longer a barrier—either to victimhood or to criminal involvement—and underscores the need for greater digital awareness, particularly among senior citizens.
