The messenger, claiming to be Olivia, begins conversation with kids, pretending to be a friend they know, but soon starts sending links that direct them to porn sites.
The Crime Branch, Odisha Police tweeted, "New WhatsApp spam named Olivia Hoax is targeting young children by befriending them. Parents are advised to keenly watch children's online activity. Don’t accept any message from unknown or suspicious looking no. #SayNOtoCyberStrangers".
Some people who received such messages shared their version of conversation. The messages sure look mechanical and repeating.
Though there have been no cases related to Olivia Hoax in Odisha yet, police is taking preventive measures to warn parents and kids. With the recent rise in cyber crimes, dangerous games and scams, it has become imperative for parents to keep an eye on their children's online life.
Along with this, the Commissionerate Police has also expedited combat measures to eradicate the deadly Momo Challenge that lures players into a series of violent acts, ending with a suicide dare.
Sources said, the youth identified as Ajay Patra (21) tried to end his life by consuming poison after completing third stage in the Blue Whale game challenge.
Ajay, who worked in a private company in Tamil Nadu, had reportedly fallen victim of the Blue Whale game some ten days back. After his friends brought the matter to the notice of the company manager, Ajay was sent back to his village in Anandpur.
Also Read: Blue whale frenzy takes youngsters into grip, two rescued in Odisha
Since the last three days Ajay was mentally depressed which is suspected to have triggered this extreme step.
Police investigation is yet to begin as the cops were in dark about the incident. However, it was only after the hospital authorities reported the incident, the matter came to light today.
https://youtu.be/xJrSiuv-ZIM
According to reports, the girl, residing in the college hostel, is suspected to have been playing the online game for long. She rubbed the green chilli several times to cross the 42nd level of the game.
After getting information, the college authorities seized the mobile phone and informed her parents about the incident. Sources said the girl had also attempted to commit suicide at her home a few days back though no complaint was filed with the police.
Besides, some other students of the college are also suspected to be playing the online suicide game. However, the college authorities are yet to comment on the matter.
Earlier on September 5, an engineering student was rescued from the Blue Whale trap by the police here and later handed over to her parents after counselling.
https://youtu.be/30KpgBZV0hM
The student, identified as Swadhin Rout, was playing the deadly game since 10 days, alleged his family members. On Tuesday, he had locked himself inside his room raising suspicions.
Rout’s family, with help of neighbours and police, rescued him from his room after breaking open the door. He was found with cut marks on his arms depicting image of a whale.
Meanwhile, police has admitted Rout to Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Hospital.
As per reports, the student was playing Blue Whale Challenge during a workshop in the institute when his fellow students noticed it and informed the Principal.
Principal Krushna Chandra Rout immediately detained the student in his office and informed his family members. During interrogation it was found that he had reached the 11th stage of the deadly game and his cousin residing in Bengaluru had encouraged him to play the game.
Following this incident, authorities of the ITI checked the hostel rooms thoroughly and seized 37 mobile phones. The student was eventually handed over to his father, who had rushed to the institute after getting the information.
However, getting to know about the incident police reached the spot and took the student along with his father to police station. Later, the student was admitted to a hospital by the police.
"We contacted the Principal after getting the information, he validated it and said that father of the student has also arrived. Presently, we are counselling the student and undertaking his medical treatment," said IIC of Sahadevkhunta police station Pragnya Mohanty.
Notice were also issued to the Odisha Home department secretary, DGP, Crime Branch chief and the Twin City Police Commissionerate asking them to furnish details of steps that have been taken to check the spread of the online game.
Breaking News: Dutee suspects Blue Whale game behind cousin’s death
The HC has scheduled the next hearing on the PIL filed by one Shiv Shankar Mohanty on September 18.
The Commissionerate Police recently issued an advisory for parents to prevent their children from falling prey to the ‘Blue Whale’ challenge.
As per the advisory, the cops have advised parents to use ‘parental control’ software to keep an eye on the online activities of their children.
Also Read: Class IX Boy From Jajpur Rescued From Clutches Of Blue Whale Game
On September 10, an engineering student in Ralaba village in Hinjili was rescued from the ‘deadly’ trap of the Blue Whale Game.
Earlier in the day, a 35-year-old had taken ill after taking up a task in the online challenge in Kendrapara.
On September 7, a class IX boy of Madhupur Garh High School under Jenapur police limits of Jajpur district was rescued by police from clutches of Blue Whale game and counselled.
Also Read: Friend’s SOS tweet saves student from Blue Whale trap
The DGP also issued advisory to SPs and DCPs to check the menace.
The top cop has advised parents and teachers to keep a tab of Internet trends to get an idea of what is influencing the youths. Throwing light on the signs and symptoms of victims of the online game inciting suicides, the advisory said those who begin playing the game stop interacting with family and friends, talks about running away from home or even death and also changes eating and sleeping habits. There could be a rise in signs of depression and spending too much of time on the phone.
Besides, the DGP asked police officials to conduct frequent raids at cyber cafes to find out existence of any link/website related to lethal online games such as Blue Whale Challenge, A Quiet House, A Silent House, A Sea of Whales and Wake Me Up at 4.20 pm. In case any such online games are found, the directive asked the police officials to remove the links and format the computers.
As per reports, police have found the Class 9 deceased student’s friends being discussing the online game.
While police have not yet found any other evidence proving the death to be a result of the 'Blue Whale' suicide challenge, the game is reportedly attracting kids across the country.
The dangerous game has been linked to at least 130 teen deaths across Russia alone. Besides, police in the UK have warned parents about the challenge.
The online game, 'Blue Whale', which originated in Russia, starts by asking participants via social media to draw a blue whale on a piece of paper.
The participants are then asked to carve the whale onto their body. The participants are also given other tasks, like watching horror movies alone.
Later, the task is to harm oneself and waking up at unusual hours.
It’s better to say ‘NO’ confidently. You don’t need to say yes to something for the sake of anything if it is unsafe.
Even though your friends or any relative, to whom it’s difficult to say no, insist you to go for the game, be assertive and say NO.
Be open to your parents in case anything related to it bothering you.
An alarmed teacher checking the answer-sheet brought the matter to the notice of the school and the local administration, after which counselling of the child was being done.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Revenue, Praveen Prajapati of Khilchipur, where the incident took place, told IANS on Thursday that during the quarterly examination of Class 10 in the local Utkrisht Vidyalaya, a student wrote in his Sanskrit answer-sheet that he had reached the 49th stage of the Blue Whale game.
According to Prajapati, he further wrote that he was being pressured to undertake the final task of ending life. Besides, he was also being threatened that if he did not commit suicide, his parents would be killed, the officer said.
"The answer-sheet was being evaluated by teacher Hemlata Shringi. When she read the lines written by the student, she got alarmed. After that she informed the school and contacted us," he said.
Prajapati said a group comprising teachers and some local people had been formed which was counselling the child to remove fear from his psyche.
Family members of the student said he had even uploaded the photograph of slitting his wrist and that at 49th stage, he was being asked to end his life.
"A class eight student from a private school in Basirhat area fell ill after confessing about her involvement in playing the Blue Whale game to the school authorities. She has been admitted to hospital," a police officer said.
According to police, the girl's classmates on Saturday found blood oozing from her arm and told the school authorities about it.
It was found that the girl had inscribed something by cutting her hand herself.
"The hostel superintendent got in touch with us after the girl confessed to cutting her hand as instructed in the Blue Whale Challenge game. Which stage of the game she was into, is not yet clear," police said.
Blue Whale Challenge is reportedly a suicide game in which the player is given certain tasks to complete for a period of 50 days and the final task leads to the player committing suicide.
The player is also asked to share photos after finishing each challenge.
The sudden popularity of the lethal online game in India had forced the government to issue directions to internet giants Google, Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram, Microsoft and Yahoo to immediately remove its links.
The game has, so far, claimed a number of lives in India and across the world.
The girls, found at the Hoshangabad station late on Tuesday, revealed that they were given the task to run away from their homes in Agra and the admin of the game threatened to hurt their family members if they didn't comply, Hoshangabad GRP in-charge S.N. Mishra told IANS.
The girls then told their parents that they are leaving for school and boarded the Mumbai-bound Punjab Mail but soon enough realised that it's a mistake and informed their parents, he added.
The parents then informed the police who in turn alerted the GRP in Hoshangabad. The parents of both the girls reached here on Wednesday and took them back, he added.
The Blue Whale Challenge, reportedly created by a former convict in Russia, is said to psychologically provoke players to indulge in daring, self-destructive tasks for 50 days before finally taking the "winning" step of killing themselves.
According to media reports, over six cases across India have been suspected to be linked to the deadly game.
"We offer resources to people that search for these terms on Facebook," the social media giant said.
The Blue Whale challenge is said to psychologically provoke players to indulge in daring, self-destructive tasks for 50 days before finally taking the "winning" step of killing themselves.
Facebook said it also removes content that violates our Community Standards, which do not allow the promotion of self-injury or suicide.
Starting on World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, Facebook said it would also connect people in India with information about supportive groups and suicide prevention tools in News Feed.
"Facebook is a place where people connect and share, and one of the things we have learnt from the mental health partners and academics we have worked with on this issue, is that being connected is a protective factor in suicide prevention," said Ankhi Das, Director of Public Policy for Facebook in India, South and Central Asia.
Additional resources about suicide prevention and online wellbeing will also be added to its Safety Center, Facebook said.
With these resources, people can access tools to resolve conflict online, help a friend who is expressing suicidal thoughts or get resources if they are going through a difficult time.
"We care deeply about the safety and millions of people in India who use Facebook to connect with the people who matter to them, and recognise there's an opportunity with these tools and resources to connect someone who is struggling with a person they already have a relationship with," Das said.
Facebook's Safety Center also offers guidance for parents, teenagers, educators, and law enforcement officials to start a conversation about online safety, with localised resources and videos available.
People can also reach out to Facebook when they see something that makes them concerned about a friend's well-being.
"We have teams working around the world, 24/7, who review reports that come in and prioritise the most serious reports like suicide. For those who reach out to us, we provide suggested text to make it easier for people to start a conversation with their friend in need," Facebook said.
"We provide the friend who has expressed suicidal thoughts information about local help lines, along with other tips and resources," it added.
The advisory released by the Crime Branch late on Thursday, asked parents to install parental control software in computers and mobile phones used by their children, and also limit app usage.
Children who have entered the game, might have depression or even have had suicidal thoughts, said the advisory issued by Superintendent of Police (Crime Branch) Karthik Kashyap.
"Recognise any change in your kid's behaviour that may point out depression or any other mental problem. Monitor your kid's search history and get useful insights.
"They will help you see the state of mind of your kid. View your child's: text messages, call logs, search history, communication via Facebook, Snapchat, WhatsApp, etc.
"Moreover, try to limit apps' usage and block sites promoting dangerous activities," the advisory cautioned.
The game, created by a Russian, Philipp Budeikin, is directly targeting children and encouraging them to harm themselves over 50 stages culminating in suicide.
The game is reportedly linked to the deaths of more than 100 young people around the world.
The advisory also requested parents to speak to their children about the game.
"Talk to your kid about the game. Ask if they have heard about this at school. If you hear this game is being spread at your child's school, ring alarm bells and raise awareness among teachers and parents," it said.
The Class X student, who told her parents that she was going to meet her friends, on Monday night carved the shape of a whale on her arm and threw away her mobile phone before jumping into the Kailana lake, they said.
The girl yesterday allegedly again attempted suicide by consuming some tablets kept in her house. She was rushed to a private hospital and admitted to its ICU.
Owner of the hospital, Dr K R Daukiya said she was out of danger but has been kept in ICU for examination of her vital organs.
According to the doctor, she is depressed.
He said soon counselling of the girl would be started.
"When the girl was brought here last morning, she was quite stressed. But after treatment, she spoke about how she got into it (the blue whale challenge)," the doctor said.
The controversial internet game involves a number of tasks which have to be completed by the player in 50 days. It ends in the person taking their own life.
"In view of continued incidents of #BlueWhaleChallenge deaths, our Ministry has sought active role of schools in tackling the issue (sic)," the WCD Ministry tweeted.
"The minister has issued letters to all school principals to sensitise teachers and students about Blue Whale Challenge.
She has urged the teachers to be extremely vigilant about the behaviour of their students," read another tweet.
The ministry of electronics and information technology (Meity) had earlier directed Internet majors -- Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Microsoft and Yahoo -- to immediately remove the links of the challenge.
The WCD minister had also written to home and IT ministers, raising concerns about the online game.
It was an absolute shocker for his family members when they found the Momo App downloaded in his mobile phone, sources said.
According to his family, Umakant had been staying in Chennai and returned home just two months back. However, he was found hanging in the under-construction club house this morning.
Soon, they informed Mahanga police and lodged a complaint with them alleging that their son committed suicide after playing the deadly game.
On the other hand, the Mahanga police has initiated an investigation into the incident based on the complaint filed by Behera's family members.
However, it could not be ascertained whether the family found any unusual behaviour or mood swings in Umakant after he returned from Chennai.
Also Read: Don’t Meddle With Her, She Is Dangerous: Crime Branch On MOMO Challenge
In MOMO Challenge, one unknown number having the profile of a girl’s distorted face with protruding eyes and wide mouth appears with a WhatsApp invitation from an unknown number.
As per reports, the perpetrators of this horrific crime monitor the status and profiles of people on social networking websites to target people with suicidal tendencies.
As per sources, the Commissionerate Police would sensitise people, especially school students on the 'Momo Challenge' and will also make efforts to remove the fear of reaching out to police through ‘Know your Police’ campaign.
On the other hand, the Ganjam Police has already begun the process of eradicating the deadly online game by organising an awareness campaign among the Principals and Headmasters of Colleges and Schools of Chatrapur, Chamakhandi and Ganjam PS jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, in a tweet message, the Odisha Crime Branch warned people of the MOMO Challenge saying, “Don't meddle with her. She is dangerous, dirty and disastrous to your life.”
Here’s the detailed advisory issued by the Odisha Crime Branch:
What is MOMO Challenge?
On social media a game with name MOMO Challenge is being circulated by some mischievous and criminal minded people. This game instigates people, especially children to commit suicide as final task. Some innocent people around the world have fallen prey to this malicious game.
There is need for parents and teachers to be aware of this threat and save the children from it.
In MOMO Challenge, one unknown number having the profile of a girl’s distorted face with protruding eyes and wide mouth appears with a WhatsApp invitation from an unknown number.
The perpetrators of this horrific crime monitor the status and profiles of people on social networking websites to target people with suicidal tendencies.
MOMO challenge comes through unknown WhatsApp number. Therefore: (a) Unknown link coming to your WhatsApp number should be deleted immediately, (b) Unknown number invitation through WhatsApp may be avoided, (c) If some unknown number is asking for playing game simply block that number.
Also Read: Odisha Student Falls Prey To MOMO Challenge; Crime Branch Issues Advisory
Signs and Symptoms of Victim:
Becoming withdrawn from friends and family, Persistent low mood and unhappiness, Looking worried, Not carrying out day to day tasks, Sudden outbursts of anger directed at themselves or others, Loss of interest in activities that they used to enjoy, Visible marks like deep cuts or wounds on any part of the body of the child.
Advice to Parents: Please keep your eyes open for:
Unusually secretive behaviour of children mostly related to their online activity
A sudden increase in the time they spend online, especially social media.
They seem to change screens on their device when approached
They become withdrawn or angry, after using the internet or sending text messages
Their device suddenly has many new phone numbers and email contacts
Keep close watch on the behaviour of your child/children
If you have found that your child knows about somebody playing MOMO challenge games, inform the parents, teachers, guardians of such children
Check with your child, ask how things are going. Ask if there have been things stressing them or anything that has them worried.
Monitor your child's online and social media activity to ensure they are not engaging with this game.
Install a good cyber/mobile parenting software which helps in monitoring your children.
Take reports from teachers in the school at regular intervals.
If you fear your child may be at risk, get professional help right away.
Remind your child that you are there and will support them as they face life challenges.
Keep a constant watch if your child or child’s friends are involved in some violent act.
Advice to Teachers:
Keep a close watch on the behaviour of all the students
Keep the parents informed about the children who are suspected to be playing MOMO Challenge Games
Conduct a random check of mobile phones of the students if the MOMO challenge applications are installed in their mobile phones and take necessary steps
Keep a constant watch if your students or their friends are involved in some violent act
Advice to Media:
Media is requested not to publish any unverified news and connect any death/suicides to MOMO challenge without proper verification.