From Victim To Warrior: How A Hyderabad Man Went From Being A Victim To Cybercrime Awareness Advocate

After becoming a victim of a vicious scam, leveraging his previous stints in cybersecurity, RK Murthy embarked on a mission to educate the public about cyber threats.

Murthy continues to spread awareness about cyber safety, determined to prevent others from enduring the kind of digital exploitation that once threatened to ruin his life.

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In this digital age, cybercrime has become a pressing concern for general users. However, there are certain inspirational cases where victims of cyber fraud turned into cybercrime activists. Take Hyderabad resident Radha Krishna Murthy's account for example. 

What Happened To Murthy?

In February 2022, Murthy endured severe personal and public humiliation when manipulated explicit images of him began circulating among his contacts. The 29-year-old fell victim to a malicious cyberattack originating from a deceitful loan application installed on his phone by a friend, which escalated to threats and widespread defamation.

"It was a depressing time. At some level, I am still dealing with it," Murthy recalled during an interview with Logically Facts. 

Meet Radha Krishna Murthy, once a victim of a loan app scam, now a cybercrime warrior.
His story is the first of many as Logically Facts launches a storytelling project that dives deep into the lives affected by online misinformation and conspiracy theories.
Here's a glimpse… pic.twitter.com/9MqxY0wgGo

— Logically Facts (@LogicallyFacts) April 3, 2024

After the fraudulent app was downloaded, Murthy, who was already grappling with unemployment due to the pandemic, found himself entrapped. The app, which promised instant financial relief, instead became a tool for extortion. Murthy discovered that not only was he being charged an exorbitant interest rate by the loan sharks behind the app, but his failure to comply with their repayment demands led to threats of public defamation.

True to their word, the attackers accessed Murthy's phone gallery, morphing his images and labelling him with heinous accusations such as "rapist" and "fraudster," which were then sent to over 1,500 of his contacts, as reported by The Better India. 

The impact of this attack was catastrophic. Murthy received up to 1,300 calls and 1,500 messages per hour, a relentless assault that led him to the brink of suicide, The ordeal didn't just affect him but also cast a shadow over his family in his hometown, where his parents, both educators, faced scrutiny and disgrace.

Salvation came unexpectedly when Murthy shared his plight with V C Sajjanar, the then-commissioner of police, who had also received the disturbing messages. Sajjanar's guidance inspired Murthy to pivot his adversity towards aiding others facing similar vulnerabilities.

"Loan apps give very, very attractive schemes in the initial stage, but ultimately, they make you a victim," Sajjanar told Logically Facts.

Mission To Educate

Leveraging his background in computer science and previous stints in cybersecurity, Murthy embarked on a mission to educate the public about cyber threats. He established the 'Global Security Council,' a platform dedicated to assisting victims of cybercrimes. Through his initiative, Murthy has already supported nearly 32 individuals grappling with defamation and financial fraud.

Murthy's approach involves first counselling victims, many of whom, like him, have considered suicide. He then provides technical assistance, securing their devices from hacked apps and advising on data protection strategies, such as changing phone numbers and tracing criminals via IP addresses.

This transformation from a victim to a cybersecurity advocate has not only helped others but has also mended familial relationships and restored his social standing, stated The Better Indian report. 

Murthy continues to spread awareness about cyber safety, determined to prevent others from enduring the kind of digital exploitation that once threatened to ruin his life. His story is a poignant reminder of the resilience possible in the face of digital adversity and the power of turning personal trials into triumphs for the community.