AI-generated obscene images used for blackmail in Uttar Pradesh
A cyber cafe operator in Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh and his brother were booked for blackmailing a 25-year-old woman using AI-generated obscene images created from her social media photos. The accused extorted Rs 50,000 from the woman and later attempted further blackmail, and police suspect they targeted multiple other women using the same method.
What happened
A cyber cafe operator named Talib in Ghosiya, Bhadohi district, allegedly connected with a 25-year-old woman through Instagram, where they had conversations. Using photos from her social media account, he created AI-generated obscene images and sent them to her, demanding Rs 50,000 to keep them private.
In April 2026, Talib traced the woman's in-laws' address and sent the morphed images to her husband's phone, threatening to leak old chats and fake photos publicly to damage her marriage if more money was not paid. The woman had married on February 8, 2025.
Reported impact
The woman paid Rs 50,000 to the accused in Gyanpur out of fear that the pictures would be circulated online. She and her husband subsequently faced threats of further blackmail and marriage damage.
Index analysis
Police preliminary findings suggest the brothers may have targeted several other women using the same method and collected lakhs of rupees through blackmail.
Governance controls
A case was registered against both accused under Section 308(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to extortion, along with provisions of the IT Act. Police conducted a raid on the accused's house on Friday, May 16, 2026, though both were absconding.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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