Elnaaz Norouzi became a victim of cybercrime when she clicked on an email that landed in her inbox in January. The incident continues to haunt her even today.

The Sacred Games actress says, “On January 18, I got an anonymous email. Normally, you don’t click on such emails, but this one had my password in the subject line. It piqued my curiosity, so I opened it. Inside, I found my private pictures attached, along with a message that read, ‘I have your pictures, if you don’t want them posted online, then reply to me as soon as possible. If not, the next email will be a link with the pictures online.’”

Elnaaz immediately contacted the Cybercrime Cell, and the investigation revealed that the email had originated from a server based in Switzerland. “The response was swift, and they got back within two days. The Cybercrime team found out that it was one of those servers where details of the users were not shared. It means that the person behind this crime knew how to evade getting caught. We couldn’t get more information about the user, but they (the Cybercrime team) did terminate the user’s account. I am worried he/she might contact me using a new email account now.”

During her investigation with the Cybercrime team, Elnaaz was asked if she had clicked on any unfamiliar links. She says, “I remembered I had filled out a form on an unknown link. The Cybercrime team visited my home, instructed me to back up my data, and helped me format my devices. Now, I’ve updated all my passwords and change them every month. They’re in regular contact with me and have asked me to report any suspicious emails or messages.”

The ordeal has left Elnaaz mentally scarred. She says, “Now, I’m scared to even open my emails or social media accounts. I’m terrified that the criminal might have posted my private photos online. I go to bed anxious and wake up in the same state. I’ve had to reach out to a therapist a few times to help me calm down. I feel like my privacy has been violated. It feels like someone is always watching me, and I am living in constant fear.”