THE ACCUSED USED AI-MORPHED IMAGES FOR BLACK-MAILING THE INNOCENT GIRLS. HE WAS PREVIOULSY INVOLVED IN TWO CASES OF EXTORTION.
Face2News/New Delhi
Lady Complainant aged 19 years, R/o Malkaganj, Delhi lodged an online complaint on NCRP Portal regarding blackmailing on Social Media platform. During enquiry, the complainant reported that she received a WhatsApp message from an unknown person who sent a morphed image of her. He instructed her to create a Snapchat account for communication.
The person demanded ₹30,000/- from her using a Snapchat profile in the name of ‘Lakshay Garg’ for deleting her manipulated photo. Under distress, the victim’s family transferred the demanded amount through a QR-code-based payment.
Several months later, in the month of February 2026, the accused again contacted the complainant and demanded additional money. After negotiations, the victim transferred ₹10,000/- through a cyber cafe. The accused continued demanding more money and also pressurized the complainant to provide contact details of other young women. Upon refusal, he continued issuing threats, which forced the victim to approach police. Subsequently, a case u/s 77/79/308(2)/351(4) BNS was registered at PS Cyber/North District.
A dedicated team led by W/SI Hanshul Gupta, comprising Ct. Shahzad, Ct. Aakash and Ct. Aman, was formed under the supervision of Inspr. Rohit Gahlot, SHO/PS Cyber North and guidance of Sh. Vishesh Dattarwal, ACP/Operations/North to nab the accused person.
The team collected technical and digital evidences subsequently, through technical analysis, the police team traced and apprehended the accused from the area of Bhalaswa Dairy, Delhi on 04.06.2026.
INTERROGATION AND MODUS OPERANDI: During interrogation, the accused disclosed that he works for a finance company and resorted to cyber extortion for illegal financial gain. He reportedly used to target young women through social media platforms, posing as a job provider. After gaining their trust, he got 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 later used to blackmail the victims and extort money.
Investigation further revealed that the accused had previously been arrested in two sexual extortion cases in 2022 and 2023, indicating a pattern of repeated offender, said, Raja Banthia, IPS, Dy. Commissioner of Police
North District, Delhi
PROFILE OF THE ACCUSED: Sourav, aged 30 years, R/o Bhalaswa Dairy, Delhi is a school dropout. He is an employee of a private finance company. He was previously involved in two cases of Extortion, Sexual Harassment and Stalking of Police Stations Bharat Nagar and Cyber Shahdara, Delhi.
RECOVERY:
1. One mobile phone.
2. One SIM card.
3. One Wi‑Fi router used in the offence.
