COIMBATORE: What began as a plan to make some quick bucks to fund their outings ended in trouble for four college students, including two girls, after the Coimbatore city police uncovered their role in morphing photographs of girls to extort money.

The two boys and their girl friends, all studying in their second year at a private college, were short on funds to support their frequent outings. Consequently, they hatched a plan to make quick money, although through illegal means.

The two girls befriended financially well-off girls, and after gaining their trust, obtained their mobile numbers and photographs.

They then passed the images to the two boys, who morphed them into obscene content and sent them to the victims, threatening to share the images on social media.

To prevent the images from being shared, the boys demanded money, and the shocked victims initially complied, paying the amount. However, when the harassment continued, the victims lodged a complaint with the police.

A detailed inquiry by police revealed the involvement of four college students, including the girls, in the offence. The police summoned their parents and issued a stern warning to the four students before letting them off.

With the consent of the victims and in consideration of their future, the police chose not to initiate any action.