In a disturbing cybercrime trend emerging from Gujarat, two prominent citizens of Jamnagar have fallen victim to a sophisticated online defamation campaign within just two days. The targets, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Raghavji Patel and noted real estate developer Jaman Faldu, were attacked using fake social media accounts that utilized artificial intelligence to create damaging and humiliating content.
Complaints Filed Under New Legal Framework
Both victims have officially approached the Jamnagar Cybercrime police station, leading to the registration of formal cases. The police have invoked multiple sections of the recently implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to address the severity of the offences.
The charges pressed include BNS Sections 336 (2) and (4) pertaining to forgery and forgery for defamation, Section 352 for insult intended to provoke a breach of peace, and Section 356 for defamation. Additionally, the Information Technology Act's Section 66(c) for identity theft has been applied in both complaints.
Modus Operandi: AI-Generated Defamation
Investigators revealed a calculated and malicious strategy behind the attacks. The perpetrators created fake profiles on Facebook and Instagram under the name "Vishal Kansagra." Police confirmed that this identity does not belong to any real individual, indicating a fabricated persona.
The core of the defamation involved the use of AI tools to edit and morph photographs of the complainants. The images were altered to show MLA Raghavji Patel and businessman Jaman Faldu dressed in sarees and other women's attire. These manipulated visuals were paired with posts accusing them of involvement in land grabbing activities.
The attack on Jaman Faldu took an even more personal turn. The fake account also posted synthetic content featuring his son dressed in a saree. The accompanying allegations claimed the family engaged in illicit land dealings under the shield of political protection.
In the case targeting the BJP MLA, the posts employed vulgar language and highly defamatory remarks alongside the morphed images and land-grabbing accusations.
International Links and Suspected Motives
A significant breakthrough in the investigation points to an international dimension. Cybercrime officials have traced the IP address linked to the fraudulent posts to a location outside India. This complicates the investigative process but underscores the borderless nature of modern cyber offences.
Speaking on the possible intent behind the campaign, a police officer stated, "The intent behind the posts appears to be to defame the complainants, extort money from them, or to gain cheap publicity." This suggests a multi-pronged motive combining reputational damage with potential financial extortion.
A Recurring Threat in Saurashtra
This incident is not isolated. A strikingly similar case was recently reported from neighbouring Junagadh district. There, fake Facebook and Instagram accounts were created using the name and photographs of BJP MLA Sanjay Koradiya, who also lodged a formal police complaint.
The pattern indicates a worrying trend in the region where public figures are being singled out through digitally manipulated content on social media platforms. The use of AI tools makes the content more believable and damaging, posing a new challenge for law enforcement agencies.
The Jamnagar cybercrime police are now deeply engaged in the probe, coordinating with higher authorities and possibly international agencies to track down the individuals operating these accounts from abroad. The cases highlight the urgent need for enhanced digital literacy and robust cyber security measures, especially for individuals in the public eye.
