Family, friends of blackmailed Mumbai woman track culprit's IP address

Taruna Aswani

The family and friends of Taruna Aswani, who took to Facebook to expose the pervert who threatened to make public her private photos and videos, have launched a parallel investigation into the matter. They have, in fact, tracked the blackmailer's IP address to the United States.

Aswani (26), originally from Juhu in Mumbai, is currently working as a physical therapist in Maryland, USA. After the pervert's threat, Aswani took him on, posted the message she received on Facebook, and sought help in nabbing the criminal. The post went viral on social media.

Also Read: Female fights back after pervert threatens to share nude pics

According to a report in Mumbai Mirror, Aswani spoke to her parents and boyfriend, after which she approached the Maryland police and the FBI too. Mirror quoted Stas Estko, Aswani's Polish boyfriend, as saying that many of her family and friends have come forward to help her. "Though we have traced the blackmailer's digital footprint to the US through the help of some of our friends, we can't be sure until this is verified by the investigating agencies in the US," Estko said.

The paper also carried a quote from Aswani, in which she said she was grateful for the offers of help she received online. "A lot of good Samaritans who are IT experts have offered to help. They say I can contact them whenever I need to and they can help me trace this criminal." Aswani also added that she was glad her story touched a cord with women around the world. "A lot of women have written to me detailing the harassment they have faced online. They also say my Facebook post gave them the courage to approach the police. I'm happy that the post has served some purpose."

Mumbai Mirror also said that Aswani got in touch with the Mumbai police on Monday and provided them with details of the emails. "After I registered the case I didn't hear from the Maryland detective for a while. But the Maryland police have been taking the case seriously after I wrote to the FBI," Aswani was further quoted as saying by Mirror.