A BTech graduate has been arrested in Hardoi for allegedly running a large-scale obscene content distribution network through social media platforms. The accused operated 21 Instagram and Telegram channels, selling explicit content to nearly 7,000 subscribers on a paid subscription model. Investigations have revealed transactions worth approximately ₹1.20 crore in his bank accounts.
The case came to light after a student from Hardoi filed a complaint in April, alleging that an AI-generated obscene video using his identity had been circulated on social media. Following the complaint, police initiated a technical probe that gradually exposed the entire digital network.
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Investigators identified the accused as Vikas, a resident of Bamrauli in the Dhoomanganj area of Prayagraj. He is a BTech graduate and had been active on social media platforms for several years. Over time, he allegedly built a structured digital content business involving paid subscriptions and multiple online channels.
During the investigation, police found that the accused operated through Telegram channels and offered subscription plans ranging from ₹350 per month, ₹450 for three months, and ₹600 for six months. These plans granted access to objectionable content shared across his network of channels.
Officials stated that payments were collected through multiple bank accounts linked to the accused, where nearly ₹1.20 crore has been traced so far. Authorities believe this figure represents only part of the total transactions, as earlier financial records are still under review.
A major seizure during the probe included around 10,000 objectionable videos and over 40,000 images stored and distributed across his channels. Police also confirmed that several subscribers were minors, making the case more serious in nature.
The investigation further revealed that the accused possessed strong technical skills and used advanced tools such as Google Lens to trace original sources of video clips or screenshots. He would then download and redistribute them through his Telegram channels after modifying and organizing the content.
According to police officials, the accused began creating social media groups and channels in 2020. Over time, his network expanded significantly, attracting thousands of subscribers from across the country. What initially appeared as casual online activity eventually turned into a structured digital business model.
In a surprising revelation, it was found that the accused’s father is a retired Indian Air Force personnel. The family believed that he was engaged in legitimate online work, as he spent most of his time locked in his room working on laptops and computers, without raising suspicion.
Authorities have described the case as a major example of organized cybercrime involving the misuse of digital platforms for illegal earnings. The accused is currently being interrogated, and investigations are ongoing to identify possible associates, trace financial flows, and map the full extent of the network.
