What began as a harmless Facebook friendship turned into a chilling spiral of manipulation, sexual exploitation, blackmail and financial ruin for a 36-year-old woman — pushing her to the brink of suicide.

Over more than a year, the accused, posing as an astrologer, allegedly gained her trust, exploited her, and siphoned off nearly Rs 33 lakh, including loans and gold. The ordeal ended only when a two-line message to her husband triggered a race against time that ultimately saved her life.