Bengaluru: Fraudsters allegedly used artificial intelligence to pose as a young woman on a dating application and extorted more than ₹1.5 lakh from a 26-year-old man by threatening to circulate explicit video clips, police said.
Fake dating profile leads to trap
According to the complaint, the victim, a resident of Ejipura and an employee of a private firm, created a profile on a popular dating app on January 5 in the hope of meeting new people. Shortly thereafter, he received a friend request from a profile identifying itself as “Ishani,” who claimed to be a young woman.
The two began chatting on the app and gradually shared personal details. After a few days of regular conversation, they exchanged mobile numbers and continued their interaction on private messaging platforms.
Police said the conversations appeared normal initially and did not raise any suspicion. The accused built trust by engaging in frequent chats and maintaining a friendly tone, which investigators believe was part of a calculated attempt to psychologically manipulate the victim.
Explicit video call and secret recording
A few days into the private conversations, the woman allegedly initiated a video call. During the call, she appeared nude on camera and persuaded the victim to remove his clothes as well. Unaware that he was being targeted in a cybercrime trap, the youth complied.
Investigators said the explicit interaction was secretly recorded by the fraudsters without the victim’s knowledge or consent. Soon after the call ended, the accused sent short video clips and screenshots of the explicit content to the victim via WhatsApp.
The fraudsters then allegedly threatened to circulate the videos among the victim’s family members, friends and across social media platforms if he failed to pay them money.
Money transferred under threat
Fearing public humiliation and damage to his personal and professional life, the victim initially transferred ₹60,000 to bank accounts shared by the accused. When the threats continued, he made a further payment of ₹93,000, bringing the total amount extorted to over ₹1.5 lakh.
Despite the payments, the accused allegedly continued to demand more money, prompting the victim to realise that the harassment would not stop. He then approached the Central Crime Branch (CCB) Cyber, Economic and Narcotics (CEN) Police Station and filed a formal complaint.
AI-generated identity suspected
During the preliminary investigation, police found that the dating app profile used by the accused was fake and had been created using artificial intelligence tools. Investigators also suspect that the nude woman seen during the video call was not a real person but an AI-generated figure designed to appear realistic.
Officials said the use of AI-generated images and videos marks a worrying trend in cybercrime, as such content makes it harder for victims to distinguish between genuine users and fraudsters. Advanced AI tools can now generate highly realistic faces, voices and movements, making online deception easier and more convincing.
Case registered, probe under way
Based on the complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. Efforts are under way to trace the bank accounts used to receive the money and to identify the individuals operating the fake profile.
Investigators are also analysing technical evidence, including IP addresses, device details and transaction trails, to establish the origin of the scam. Police believe the accused may be part of an organised cybercrime network targeting young professionals through dating and social media platforms.
Police caution public against online traps
Cybercrime officials have urged the public to exercise extreme caution while interacting with strangers online, particularly on dating applications. They advised users never to engage in explicit video calls with unknown individuals and to avoid sharing personal details, photographs or videos.
Police also emphasised that victims of online extortion should approach law enforcement immediately instead of giving in to demands. “Once money is paid, the harassment rarely stops. Early reporting helps us act faster and prevent further damage,” an official said.
Conclusion
The case highlights the growing misuse of artificial intelligence in cyber fraud and the increasing vulnerability of online users to sophisticated digital traps. Police said awareness, timely reporting and responsible online behaviour remain the most effective tools to counter such crimes, even as investigations continue to track down those behind the scam.