The Delhi Police have arrested a man for allegedly obtaining video clips of young women on the pretext of providing jobs and morphing them using AI-based tools for extortion, officials said on Monday.
The accused has been identified as Sourav, 30, a resident of Bhalaswa Dairy. He worked with a private finance company and was previously involved in two cases of extortion, sexual harassment and stalking registered at Bharat Nagar and Cyber Shahdara police stations, officials said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Raja Banthia said the investigation began after a 19-year-old woman filed a complaint on the NCRP portal, alleging that an unknown person had demanded money from her by using morphed photographs.
The complainant, a resident of Malkaganj, said she had received a WhatsApp message from an unknown person who sent her a morphed image and asked her to create a Snapchat account for further communication. The accused then allegedly demanded Rs 30,000, which was paid under distress.
Several months later, in February, the accused again contacted the complainant and demanded more money. After negotiations, the victim transferred Rs 10,000 through a cyber cafe. The accused continued to demand money and also pressured her to share contact details of other young women. When she refused, he allegedly threatened her, forcing her to approach the police.
A case under Sections 77, 79, 308(2) and 351(4) of the BNS was registered at Cyber North police station.
During interrogation, the accused disclosed that he worked for a finance company and had resorted to cyber extortion for illegal financial gain. He allegedly targeted young women through social media platforms by posing as a job provider.
After gaining their trust, he obtained their resumes and persuaded them to participate in video verification calls. Screenshots captured during these calls were allegedly manipulated using AI-based tools to create obscene images, which were later used to blackmail the victims and extort money, police said.
The investigation further revealed that the accused had earlier been arrested in two sexual extortion cases in 2022 and 2023, indicating a pattern of repeat offending, the police said.
