The Kovilpalayam police in Coimbatore district arrested two youth from Salem who allegedly extorted cash and gold from a college girl by blackmailing her with a video call record.Police said Arun alias Annamalai (21) and Santhosh (23) of Mettur in Salem were arrested based on a complaint lodged by a 21-year-old girl, who is pursuing an undergraduate engineering course in a private college on the outskirts of Coimbatore.According to the police, the victim had approached Arun, her school friend, in April seeking financial assistance for the cancer treatment of her grandmother. She had entrusted him with approximately two sovereigns of gold ornaments for pledging and arranging cash. However, Arun allegedly failed to arrange money. He subsequently introduced her to his friend Santhosh, claiming he could arrange money, said the police.When the girl contacted Santhosh, he allegedly induced her to engage in an explicit WhatsApp video call on the pretext of arranging her money. Believing his assurances, the girl had a video call with Santhosh, which he recorded and shared with Arun, said the police.The girl alleged Arun used the video to threaten her, repeatedly warning he would circulate it on social media if she failed to comply with his demands. The girl was allegedly compelled to hand over ₹2 lakh and approximately three sovereigns of gold to him under fear and coercion, the police said.The girl approached the Kovilpalayam police with a complaint on Saturday night when Santhosh also allegedly began threatening her, demanding additional money and jewellery. The police acted on the complaint and arrested Arun and Santhosh early on Sunday and remanded them in custody.Ends Published - June 15, 2026 10:01 pm IST