Bijnor: A 28-year-old woman from Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor district allegedly died by suicide after being harassed and blackmailed by cyber fraudsters posing as law enforcement officials in a suspected “digital arrest” scam, police said.
The deceased, identified as Monika Devi, was found dead in her room at her home in Faridpur Bhogi village on Monday night. Her two daughters, aged 9 and 11, were asleep nearby at the time of the incident.
According to police, the case came to light under unusual circumstances. During preparations for her cremation, Monika’s phone reportedly received repeated WhatsApp video calls. A relative who answered one such call claimed to have seen a man in police uniform identifying himself as a crime branch officer, raising suspicion among the family.
The following morning, the children alerted other family members after finding their mother unresponsive. Initially unaware of any foul play, the family had begun last rites preparations without informing the police.
A suicide note recovered from the scene indicates prolonged harassment. In her message addressed to her husband, Monika stated that she had been under distress for a long time due to a man who had been blackmailing her. She expressed her inability to conceal the situation any longer, sought forgiveness, and urged her husband to take care of their children. She also apologised to her parents and siblings.
Family members said Monika had studied up to Class 9 and suspected that her limited education may have made her more vulnerable to such cyber fraud tactics.
Following a complaint filed by her husband, Randhir Singh, on Wednesday, police have initiated an investigation. Officials are examining her phone records, WhatsApp chats, and call data to trace the individuals involved. Preliminary findings suggest that the victim was contacted from multiple numbers as part of a coordinated cybercrime network.
Police said further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend the accused
