It looked like supernatural forces, but it was software. A 20-year-old man from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan has been arrested for allegedly using artificial intelligence (AI) to pose as an occultist and cheat more than 50 people across India.
The accused, identified as Rahul, operated under the name AGHORI_JI_RAJASTHAN on social media platforms, claiming to possess supernatural powers capable of solving relationship, family, and business problems through black magic and rituals.
According to the Delhi Police Cyber Cell, the young man leveraged AI-generated visuals — eerie videos, ghostly figures, and mysterious ritual scenes — to convince victims of his authenticity. These visuals, paired with polished digital advertising campaigns, made his online persona appear legitimate.
“The accused used AI to fabricate supernatural imagery, targeting emotionally distressed individuals seeking personal or spiritual help,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Mahla.
The Digital Trap: Fear, Manipulation, and Online Transfers
Rahul’s scam followed a structured manipulation strategy. Once potential victims contacted him through his website or social media pages, he would initiate long chats and voice calls — gradually convincing them that they were victims of black magic or haunted by spirits.
He then offered to perform rituals for their protection, demanding payments through UPI transactions linked to his and his family’s accounts. Victims were asked to pay in multiple installments, often ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹1 lakh.
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Once the money was transferred, the accused blocked the victims, deleted the chats, and wiped traces of communication.
One of the first victims, a woman from Delhi, filed a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, stating she had been defrauded of ₹1.14 lakh after being shown doctored AI images of ghosts allegedly “haunting her home.”
Investigation and Arrest: Tracking the AI Tantrik
Following the complaint, the Delhi Cyber Police launched a detailed digital investigation. The money trail was traced through multiple bank accounts, all linked to Rahul and his immediate family. The mobile number used for the social media handles also matched his identity.
The accused had been constantly changing locations across Rajasthan to avoid arrest, but police teams eventually tracked him down in Jhunjhunu.
On October 9, a coordinated raid was conducted, leading to his arrest.
During interrogation, Rahul admitted to running multiple fake social media accounts and a fraudulent website for several months. Police seized three mobile phones, five SIM cards, three debit cards, three cheque books, and digital evidence of the website and payment transactions.
“He confessed to defrauding more than 50 people across several states,” said DCP Mahla. “We are now analyzing his digital footprint to identify more victims.”
AI and Faith: The New Face of Cyber Deception
This case exposes a disturbing trend in India’s cybercrime landscape, where criminals are combining AI tools with cultural and emotional manipulation to exploit vulnerable individuals.
Cyber experts say that the democratization of AI-generated imagery has made it easier for scammers to fabricate convincing supernatural content, deepening the impact of psychological fraud.
“AI has given traditional scams a new mask,” said a Delhi-based cybersecurity researcher. “When faith meets technology, the line between fear and fraud becomes dangerously thin.”
Authorities are now working with digital forensic teams to takedown the fake website and freeze related bank accounts. Police have also urged citizens to verify the authenticity of online spiritual or healing services before transferring money.
