Why does the person not want to do a video call?
Often the person avoids video calls because they are not who they say they are: the photos belong to someone else. Shyness is real, but if they always refuse and the excuses keep repeating, you have reason to be careful.
The most common excuses are a broken camera, a bad network, working on a ship or an oil rig, being posted abroad or "not being ready yet". Some people make a very short, dark call or keep the camera covered.
What to do
- Suggest a short call, just one minute, at a time the person chooses.
- If they always refuse, stop accepting excuses: ask for a fresh photo with a gesture you choose.
- Never send money "to fix the phone" or "to recharge the data pack".
- Check the person's photos and number before you continue the chat.
Frequently asked questions
- Does a video call prove the person is real?
- It helps a lot, but fake videos exist today. Be careful with calls that are very short, have a strange picture or no sound.
- Someone on a video call says they are from the police or CBI and that I am under "digital arrest". What do I do?
- Hang up. There is no such thing as a "digital arrest" – no police, CBI, ED or court arrests anyone on a video call or asks for money to "clear your name". Call 1930 and report it on cybercrime.gov.in.
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