AI-Generated Obscene Videos, Fake Army Profiles: UP Police Bust Cyber Extortion Racket

Uttar Pradesh’s Sonbhadra police have arrested five persons from Rajasthan for allegedly operating an inter-state cyber crime racket involving AI-generated obscene videos , blackmail, extortion and fake social media profiles posing as Army and police officers, officials said on Wednesday.

The arrests came during an investigation into the alleged suicide of Rajendra Pathak, who was reportedly under severe mental distress due to sustained online harassment and extortion.

According to police, Pathak died by suicide on the night of April 7–8 at his newly constructed house. The case surfaced after his wife, Ankita Pathak, approached Sonbhadra Superintendent of Police Abhishek Verma on April 29.

Initially, the reason behind the suicide was unclear. However, family members later examined the deceased’s mobile phone and allegedly found chats, call records and transaction details showing repeated threats and demands for money by unknown persons.

Additional SP (Naxal) Rishabh Runwal said investigators found that the victim had transferred money multiple times to the accused. However, police have not yet disclosed the total amount involved in the extortion.

A case was registered at Robertsganj police station under provisions related to abetment of suicide and extortion, following which a joint team of the cyber crime police station, Special Operations Group (SOG) and surveillance cell launched a probe.

During technical analysis of the victim’s phone, investigators traced video calls linked to the accused to Rajasthan’s Alwar district. Police also found that the bank account receiving the money was based in Maharashtra, while cash withdrawals were being made from Bhiwadi in Rajasthan.

According to investigators, the gang used fake social media identities featuring photographs of Army and police officers to intimidate victims. However, police have not disclosed the exact platform used for the fraud.

Police alleged that the main accused, Afsil Khan, used artificial intelligence tools to create fabricated obscene videos and then threatened victims with those clips to extort money.

The arrested accused were identified as Afsil Khan, Noor Mohammad alias Nanda, Rashid, Washim and Barish. Police recovered five mobile phones, two ATM cards linked to mule accounts, SIM cards and Rs 6,000 cash from them.