A 24-year-old engineering graduate from Odisha has been reported missing in Bengaluru after a possible case linked to online extortion threats, police said on Tuesday.
According to police, the man, identified as Chinmayi Prasad Sahu, had recently moved to the city with his girlfriend in search of work. The two were living together when he disappeared earlier this month in circumstances that investigators say remain unclear.
Police said Sahu was receiving a series of threatening messages from unknown individuals who claimed to have private photos of him. The senders reportedly shared some of those images and demanded money, warning that additional materials would be distributed on social media if their demands were not met.
Investigators believe the threats may have caused distress in the days leading up to his disappearance. On April 15, Sahu left his house and told his girlfriend that he was going out to dispose of garbage, but he did not return. She then called the police to file a complaint.
A missing person’s case was registered on April 17 at Holimavo Police Station. Officers say they are examining multiple possibilities, including whether Sahu was kidnapped or chose to leave due to mental stress caused by the alleged harassment.
Inspector Kumara Swamy, who is leading the investigation, said: “We have registered a case of a person going missing on April 17 and are verifying the cyber evidence. We are investigating whether the youth was kidnapped or if he left voluntarily due to mental distress caused by cyber threats. At this stage, we cannot rule out any possibility.”
The police began analyzing Sahu’s call logs, financial transactions and digital activity to trace the source of the messages. Cybercrime specialists were also brought in to help identify those behind the suspected extortion attempt.
“We are analyzing his call logs, digital footprints and financial transactions. Cyber experts are also involved to trace the origin of the threatening messages and identify those behind the extortion attempt,” the officer said.
Authorities are also reviewing surveillance footage from the neighborhood and summoning his acquaintances to reconstruct his movements before his disappearance.
Inspector Swamy urged the public to be careful when sharing personal information online and to report threats immediately. “People should be very careful while handling private data. In case of such threats, they should contact the police immediately instead of suffering in silence,” he said.
