Cuttack: The Commissionerate Police arrested a Nigerian national for allegedly blackmailing and extorting money from a woman in Cuttack.
The accused has been identified as Djedje Raymond alias Chijioke John Okoye (31), from Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Nigeria.
According to an official press release, the incident came to light after a case was registered at the Darghabazar Police Station on March 1, 2025, following the victim’s suicide.
The investigation revealed that the woman had been blackmailed and threatened by an unknown person(s) through WhatsApp, which eventually led her to take the extreme step of suicide.
The victim’s suicide note highlighted the harassment she faced, prompting the Darghabazar police to initiate a probe.
The Cyber Cell Cuttack UPD team, under the direction of the Inspector-in-Charge (IIC), began a technical investigation to track down the culprits.
Despite the foreign origin of the WhatsApp numbers involved, the police team managed to retrieve login details from the messaging platform. The investigation traced the mobile number used to access the internet for the crime.
Under the supervision of the Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack, a special investigation team was constituted, including Girija Chakrabarty, ACP, Zone-II, Inspector Rakesh Kumar Behera (IIC), SI Prasant Sabar, SI Sunil Kumar Yadav, C/125 Sajan Jena, C/1013 Firoz Rout, and C/925 Panchanan Behera. The team proceeded to Delhi, where, with the assistance of the Delhi Police, the accused was apprehended on March 21, 2025.
After completing the necessary formalities, the accused was brought back to Cuttack for further investigation and court proceedings.
The following items were seized from the possession of the accused, one laptop, five mobile phones, eight international SIM cards, and one passport issued by the “République de Côte d’Ivoire” in the name of Djedje Raymond alias Chijioke John Okoye.
Commissionerate Police Urge Public to Stay Cautious Online
In light of this incident, the Commissionerate Police has issued an advisory to the public:
- Be cautious online: The internet never forgets. Do not fall for online scams or share personal data, images, or videos that can be misused.
- Watch out for suspicious behavior: If someone is rushing to develop an intimate relationship with you online, it’s a red flag. Avoid any forced intimacy.
- Protect your privacy: Never allow anyone, even someone close to you, to record intimate activities. Such data can be used against you.
- Be cautious with strangers: Avoid accepting friend requests from unknown people on social media.
- Report suspicious accounts: If you notice unusual activity on social media accounts, inform the person involved and report the matter to authorities.
- Sextortion is a serious offense: If you are a victim, do not suffer in silence. Report the matter to the police, and we will take necessary actions to protect your identity and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
Victims of sextortion or similar crimes can contact the Commissionerate Police or the nearest police station. The public can also reach out to the 1930 helpline for immediate support.
