Delhi man held for using AI-morphed images to extort women online

Delhi Police has arrested a 30-year-old man for allegedly using AI-generated morphed images to blackmail young women and extort money through social media platforms, an official said on Monday.

According to police, the accused, identified as Sourav, a resident of Bhalaswa Dairy in north Delhi, was apprehended on June 4. He was previously involved in two cases related to extortion, sexual harassment and stalking.

Police said he would target young women on social media by posing as a job provider. After gaining their trust and obtaining their resumes, he allegedly persuaded them to participate in video verification calls.

Screenshots from these calls were then manipulated using AI-based tools to create obscene images, which were used to threaten victims and extort money.

The case came to light after a 19-year-old woman from Malkaganj lodged a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), alleging that she had been blackmailed by an unknown person using manipulated photographs.

According to police, the complainant received a message from the accused containing a morphed image of her. He allegedly instructed her to communicate through a social media account operating under the name “Lakshay Garg” and demanded Rs 30,000 in exchange for deleting the image.

Under pressure and fearing the circulation of the manipulated photograph, the victim’s family transferred the amount through a QR-code-based payment, police said.

Several months later, in February this year, the accused allegedly contacted the woman again and demanded more money. Following negotiations, the victim transferred Rs 10,000 through a cyber café.

Police said the accused continued to demand additional payments and also pressured her to share contact details of other young women.When she refused, he allegedly continued issuing threats, prompting her to approach the police.

Based on the complaint, a case was registered under relevant sections of the BNS and an investigation was launched.

Police collected technical and digital evidence, including subscriber details, records, IP logs and information obtained from social media platforms.

During the investigation, police traced the account used in the crime to a mail account allegedly operated by the accused. Technical analysis subsequently led investigators to Sourav, who was arrested from the Bhalaswa Dairy area.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly disclosed that he worked for a private finance company and engaged in cyber extortion to earn money illegally.

Police recovered a mobile phone, a SIM card and a Wi-Fi router allegedly used in the commission of the offence.