What looked like a regular call centre operation in Delhi masked a sinister cybercrime racket exploiting deepfakes, AI, and elderly victims. From sextortion to fake loans, this tech-savvy syndicate reveals the dark side of modern fraud.
Honeytraps in the Heart of the Capital
At first glance, the individuals involved appeared unremarkable, women in their twenties working at a Delhi call centre. But behind this ordinary façade lay a sprawling cybercrime enterprise. Exploiting artificial intelligence, screen recording tools, and pre-activated SIM cards, these women, including Akshita, Jayshree, Pinki, and Dimple, entrapped unsuspecting men, mostly elderly, into sextortion rackets and loan scams.
Their double lives shocked even their closest friends. Police investigations revealed the gang’s operations included fake social media profiles, AI-generated video calls, and threats of blackmail. An officer involved in the case stated they used technology to manipulate emotions, and once trust was gained, it was weaponized.
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AI-Driven Sextortion: New Tech, Old Trap
The modus operandi was chillingly modern. Jayshree, a former SBI BPO employee, played a pivotal role in executing the sextortion scheme. Fake Facebook and Instagram accounts were created to lure victims. Once a conversation began, the accused would shift the chat to WhatsApp.
The victims were then subjected to an AI-generated video call featuring a realistic female avatar and seductive voice. During the call, their screens were recorded without consent. These recordings became tools of blackmail, with threats to publish the footage unless payments were made.
Loan Scams & Fake Infrastructure: A Full-Fledged Operation
Another layer to the scam was a phoney loan racket headed by Dilshad Ali. Telecallers offered attractive bank loan deals to targets, requesting ID proofs over WhatsApp and then demanding small ‘processing fees’ through QR codes. Victims complied, only for the fraudsters to disappear with the money.
The operational base extended far beyond the telecallers. Ujjawal Pandey, 30, who ran a cyber café, and Gaurav Barua, 24, a graduate from IGNOU, facilitated the sale of fake bank kits and SIM cards. Yug Sharma, just 18, supplied these kits, while Amit, the mastermind supervising the scam’s execution, remains absconding.
What makes this case deeply concerning is the integration of deepfake technology and generative AI, not just for impersonation but for psychological manipulation. Experts warn that such tactics can scale easily, putting thousands at risk. The case is a grim reminder of how cutting-edge tech can be turned into tools of emotional blackmail and financial devastation — and underscores the need for public awareness, stronger digital literacy, and swift legal reform.
About the author – Prakriti Jha is a student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, currently pursuing B.Sc. LL.B (Hons.) with a keen interest in the intersection of law and data science. She is passionate about exploring how legal frameworks adapt to the evolving challenges of technology and justice.