Sonbhadra: Police have arrested a ₹25,000 bounty suspect from Rajasthan in connection with the death of a college student who allegedly faced prolonged blackmail after being lured by a fake advertisement for a cheap laptop. The accused allegedly obtained money from the student before gaining access to his mobile data and using artificial intelligence (AI) to create an obscene video. He allegedly threatened to circulate the video among the student’s friends, relatives and family members unless further demands were met.
The case relates to the Bijpur police station area of Sonbhadra. The 20-year-old undergraduate student, a resident of Nemna village, died on June 5. During the investigation, his family told police that he had been receiving repeated calls from an unknown mobile number. Analysis of the student’s mobile phone and bank accounts reportedly showed that the calls were originating from the Alwar region of Rajasthan and that money from the student’s account had also been transferred there.
Following the digital trail, a police team travelled to Rajasthan and arrested Waris Khan, a resident of Padasla village under Kishangarhbas police station in Khairthal-Tijara district. Police recovered a mobile phone, SIM card and ₹1,050 in cash allegedly linked to the case. He was brought to Sonbhadra on transit remand and later produced before a local court, which sent him to judicial custody.
Fake Facebook Advertisement Allegedly Started the Fraud
According to the investigation, the accused had posted an advertisement on Facebook offering a laptop at a low price. The student reportedly contacted him to purchase the device. The accused allegedly collected around ₹14,500 from him on various pretexts, including delivery, tax and processing charges.
The accused then allegedly sent a link that enabled him to gain access to the student’s mobile phone and obtain personal data stored on it. Investigators suspect that the stolen data was subsequently used to create an obscene video using AI technology.
The accused allegedly threatened to send the video to the student’s family members, friends and relatives and continued to blackmail him. The sustained threats reportedly caused severe distress to the student, who died on June 5.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said AI-generated manipulated sexual content is emerging as a serious tool for cybercriminals involved in blackmail and extortion. He said victims should avoid making further payments under pressure and should immediately report such incidents to law enforcement. According to him, mobile data, call records, payment trails and suspicious links can provide crucial digital evidence for identifying offenders and establishing their network.
Digital Evidence Found on Accused’s Phone
Police said examination of the accused’s mobile phone produced digital evidence allegedly connected to the money obtained from the student. Investigators also reportedly found that the relevant amount had been credited to the accused’s mobile wallet on June 5.
During questioning, the accused allegedly told investigators that he had spent part of the money and that ₹1,050 remained with him. Police are examining the transaction trail and other digital records to establish the movement of the money.
Investigators are also trying to determine exactly what data was obtained from the student’s phone and how it was subsequently used. They are examining whether any other person or digital service assisted in creating or distributing the alleged AI-generated obscene material.
Suspect Allegedly Involved in Frauds Across Several States
According to police, the accused has allegedly been involved in several other cyber fraud cases. The investigation has reportedly linked him to a ₹15,740 Telegram task fraud in Haryana, a ₹3,860 fraud in Gujarat while posing as a customer-care representative, a ₹13,327 laptop-selling fraud in Rajasthan, and a ₹50,950 fraud in West Bengal involving a promise to exchange old currency notes for new currency.
Police are now investigating the accused’s alleged associates and the wider cybercrime network. Teams have been formed to trace and arrest other suspects based on information obtained during questioning.
Investigators are also examining whether the accused received technical assistance in creating the alleged AI-generated content and whether other victims were targeted using the same method. The digital evidence and financial trail recovered during the investigation are expected to help establish the wider network and determine the full extent of the alleged fraud.
