The Assistant Commissioner of Police of Cyber Crimes in Hyderabad has sounded caution. He has asked the users of apps like WhatsApp and dating apps to beware of fraudsters who make video calls in the middle of the night with the sole aim of trapping their victims.

Calls can be made from Facebook or some other social networking app as well. Usually, a woman makes the call and she is seen wearing a skimpy outfit or something. If the victim tries to indulge her by taking off his clothes, he would be risking cyber harassment and staking his peace of mind.

In some instances, the call is made from an unknown number. If the recipient accepts the call in a sleepy mood, his or her face would be captured by the perpetrator. The cybercriminals send morphed images of the person and blackmail him or her to pay thousands of rupees or risk social shaming.

The Cyber Crime Department has asked smartphone users not to respond to calls incoming from unknown numbers, especially during suspicious hours.