Learnt hacking on YouTube, 11-year-old caught demanding Rs 10 crore from father

News Highlights: Learnt hacking on YouTube, 11-year-old caught demanding Rs 10 crore from father.

Lucknow: In what appears to be a bad effect of online classes during Covid times, an 11-year-old boy studying in Class V learned to hack from YouTube and victimized his own father by sending an extortion email for Rs 10 crore.

The minor had learned about cybercrime and security measures during the online computer lessons at school. To dig further into the topic, he took to videos on YouTube and learned how to hack email IDs and mobile numbers.

To test hacking techniques he picked up from YouTube, he hacked the email ID and mobile number of his father and other family members and started sending unsolicited threatening emails and messages on their mobile.

The bizarre case was reported from Indirapuram in Ghaziabad. The defendant’s father has a good position in the government. He and others in the family got scared and had sleepless nights when they started receiving these emails and messages.

The family was amazed that the person who sent them e-mails knew everything about them and their smallest household activities. Initially, the ‘tormented’ officer had sought help from his internet service provider, but found no help.

The ordeal of the officer’s family lasted a month from December 23 to January 24. His patience ended when he received an extortion email demanding Rs 10 crore or their secrets will be made public.

He went to the cyber cell and filed a complaint. When the cell investigated the case, it was found that the internet protocol (IP) address used by the hacker came only from their home. The cyber cell in charge, Sumit Kumar, questioned all family members individually to find out that the hacker was only their 11-year-old son.

During his questioning, he admitted to sending these emails and messages after becoming aware of cybercrime during online classes at school. The boy told the investigating officer that he learned to hack after seeing many videos on the subject on YouTube.

The cyber cell’s sleuths further question him to find out whether the minor has also sent such emails to his friends and relatives. The cell is also contacting school authorities to find out…