Indore Family Targeted in Sophisticated AI-Driven Extortion Scheme
In a disturbing case highlighting the dark potential of artificial intelligence, cyber fraudsters in Indore allegedly used photographs of a missing teenager to create a fabricated stabbing video, successfully extorting Rs 1.02 lakh from his terrified parents. The incident began when a Class 10 student left his home for school but failed to return after evening coaching classes.
Desperate Search Turns Into Digital Nightmare
The boy had been irregular in attending classes recently, drawing reprimands from his parents. When he didn't return home and couldn't be contacted, his family grew increasingly anxious. They circulated his photograph and mobile number across multiple WhatsApp groups and social media platforms, seeking information about his whereabouts. The following day, they officially lodged a missing person complaint at the MIG police station.
According to Additional DCP Rajesh Dandotiya, the fraudsters sourced the boy's images and his parents' contact details directly from these missing-person messages shared online. "The criminals exploited the family's desperation," Dandotiya explained. "They used readily available photographs to create a convincing AI-generated video simulation of a violent assault."
The Terrifying Ransom Demand
Soon after the online appeals, the parents received a video call from an international number. The caller, with his face partially covered, claimed their son had been kidnapped. On screen, a figure who appeared to be the boy was shown being attacked with a knife. The caller issued a chilling ultimatum: transfer money immediately or their son would be killed.
The AI-generated video was convincing enough to terrify the parents into compliance. Believing their son's life was in imminent danger, they transferred Rs 1.02 lakh in multiple transactions via a QR code provided by the caller.
The Unexpected Resolution
The plot unraveled dramatically a day later when the missing teenager contacted a friend, revealing he was at the Sanwaliya Seth temple in Rajasthan. When this information reached the family, they managed to speak to him directly and realized he had never been abducted. The boy was completely unaware of any ransom demand or threatening calls.
The relieved but shaken family immediately approached the Crime Branch with their story. Additional DCP Dandotiya confirmed that the complaint was registered on the 1930 cyber helpline and a thorough investigation is now underway.
Police Investigation Uncovers Digital Trail
Preliminary police findings reveal:
- The threatening video call originated from a United Kingdom phone number
- Another number linked to the financial transactions was traced within India
- The criminals specifically targeted families circulating missing person appeals online
- The AI-generated content was sophisticated enough to appear authentic during a video call
This case serves as a stark warning about how emerging technologies can be weaponized against vulnerable families. The Indore police have emphasized the importance of exercising caution when sharing personal information online, even during emergencies. As AI tools become more accessible, such sophisticated scams present new challenges for law enforcement agencies nationwide.
