A college student in Delhi received a 'one-time view' WhatsApp message containing an AI-generated explicit image with her face. The sender, operating on Snapchat, demanded Rs 40,000 to prevent the photo from being made viral. The victim paid Rs 10,000 via a QR code at a kiosk, but the extortionist continued demanding money and asked for contact numbers of other women. When she refused and deleted her social media accounts, she was threatened again. She then reported the matter to the cyber north police station.
Police Investigation and Arrest
DCP (north) Raja Banthia formed a team led by inspector Rohit Gahlot and woman sub-inspector Hanshul Gupta. They tracked IP addresses, bank routing nodes, and encrypted chat logs, eventually locating the suspect in Bhalaswa Dairy area, north Delhi. The accused, Sourav, a 30-year-old school dropout working at a private finance company, was arrested.
Modus Operandi
Sourav posed as a job recruiter on social media, targeting young women. He requested resumes and lured them into 'video verification calls,' during which he secretly captured screenshots of their faces. He then used AI tools to generate explicit images and blackmailed them.
Further investigation revealed that Sourav had a history of stalking and sexual harassment. His phone, SIM card, and Wi-Fi router were seized as evidence. DCP Banthia confirmed that the accused would be prosecuted under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
