When ‘best friend’ turns traitor

AHMEDABAD: Megha, a resident of Maninagar, was confused when her friend Shikha told her that Megha’s phone was hacked by unidentified persons and her pictures might make way to internet. The reason — she had not got any call or demand for money. Instead, Shikha and her ‘brother’ Abhishek got to know about it and the duo even paid Rs 60,000 to the blackmailers!
The duo claimed that the hackers wanted Rs 1 lakh but they could negotiate and Shikha provided Rs 10,000 and Abhishek Rs 50,000.When Megha refused to part with any money, the duo allegedly took away her phone during a meeting at Kankaria Lake. Megha then contacted 181 Abhayam helpline for help and guidance.
The helpline officials said that Maninagar police intervened and got her phone back. During questioning of the duo, it was revealed that there was no hacker and the duo had plotted the extortion. They suspect that the duo might be involved in more such incidents as Abhishek’s phone records revealed that he had assumed different identities, they added.
Officials said that Megha is a professional who came in contact with Shikha in a dance class about two years ago. Over the years, they used to meet occasionally. About a month ago, Shikha had asked her to meet her brother Abhishek and be his girlfriend. Megha was amused at the request and refused to do so as she was already in a relationship.
“Shikha allegedly told her that she was in relationship with the same person and he was not very trustworthy. However, a few questions revealed that she did not know the person at all and had bluffed about the relationship. The ‘hacking’ incident took about a fortnight after the proposal. It is believed that Shikha tried to project Abhishek as a saviour,” said an official.
Maninagar police probing the case said that initially Shikha maintained that Abhishek was her brother but upon further questioning, she changed her stance and said that they were cousins. They later said that they were rakhi brother and sister with no connection as they could not prove their relationship.
(Some names have been changed to protect identity)