Ankush Bahuguna Hits Back at Trolls: "Nobody Wants This Kind Of Attention..."

Popular social media influencer Ankush Bahuguna's recent encounter with digital scammers has sparked widespread skepticism online. In a brief Instagram post, Bahuguna shared how he was allegedly 'hypnotized' and isolated for 40 hours while being coerced into a financial transaction. However, as details of the incident went viral, many internet users began questioning the authenticity of his account, leaving the story under scrutiny.

Ankush Bahuguna on 40-hour Digital Arrest:

In his video, Bahuguna explained that the incident began with an automated call claiming that his package had been canceled. Intrigued, he pressed 'zero' to connect with customer support—something he now calls 'the biggest mistake of his life.' The scam escalated when a person posing as a representative accused him of being linked to a package with illegal substances, further claiming that an arrest warrant had been issued in his name. Over the next 40 hours, Bahuguna said he was subjected to continuous video calls, leaving him isolated from friends and family. The influencer claimed he lost both money and mental peace in the process.

Photo Credit: Instagram

Netizens Question Ankush Bahuguna's Claim:

However, not everyone is convinced by this account. A Reddit user recently raised questions about the plausibility of Bahuguna's claims, picking apart his story point by point. The post read, "He said ‘apko detain krlengay, and they will [assault] you.' Who in the world buys such nonsense from an official person?" The user further questioned why Bahuguna didn't take simpler steps like hiding screenshots or sending evidence to trusted friends.

Ankush Bahuguna Hits Back at Trolls:

Ankush Bahuguna issued a detailed explanation on Instagram, addressing the skepticism and trolling he received after sharing his experience of being scammed and isolated for 40 hours. He expressed his disappointment over the reactions, stating, "When you get scammed, you're already dealing with crippling guilt, shame, embarrassment. The last thing one would want is more shame, judgement, trolling. It's because of reactions like these that people who get scammed don't ever share their stories publicly." Bahuguna clarified that he intended to spread awareness and help others avoid falling prey to similar scams. "To even think that this could be done for ‘attention' says more about you than me. Nobody wants this kind of attention," he wrote.

"You're Trolling Me Today..."

Defending his vulnerability, he emphasized that anyone can be a victim of such scams, regardless of intelligence or awareness. "Me being a public figure who is on social media all the time doesn't make me any less susceptible to scams," he added. Calling out the mockery, Bahuguna stated, "You're trolling me today, but the same could happen to you or your family tomorrow. There are still many who don't know about the scam, and if my video managed to alert even some of them, that's what counts.” He also addressed the stigma surrounding scam victims, saying, “If you weren't such assholes, maybe people around you would also feel comfortable sharing their experiences with you, and you'd know how real this all is.” Bahuguna concluded by urging people to stop shaming and instead foster a safer space for others to share their experiences.