Deepfake video name rip-off in Indore methods household into faux kidnapping panic
3 min learnBhopalUp to date: Feb 26, 2026 01:42 PM IST
In what Madhya Pradesh police consider is the primary identified case of deepfake know-how getting used for legal extortion within the metropolis, a household in Indore was cheated of Rs 1 lakh after fraudsters staged a faux kidnapping by way of a morphed video name exhibiting their minor son in misery.
The incident started when a Class X scholar didn’t return dwelling after his tuition class. In keeping with police, the household had earlier scolded the kid, and when he remained untraceable for a number of hours, they lodged a lacking particular person criticism on the native police station. In an try to find him shortly, the household additionally shared the boy’s {photograph} and get in touch with particulars on social media.
Later that night, the household allegedly acquired a video name from unknown individuals who claimed they’d kidnapped the kid. Throughout the name, the boy allegedly was proven on display screen and gave the impression to be underneath risk.
The callers allegedly demanded Rs 1 lakh for his launch and requested the household to switch the cash by way of a QR code. Believing the video to be real and fearing for the kid’s security, the household transferred the quantity, police mentioned.
The case took a dramatic flip the following day when the boy returned dwelling on his personal. He allegedly instructed his household that he had gone to a neighborhood temple for darshan and was by no means kidnapped. He additionally allegedly denied being harmed or threatened, prompting the household to alert the police a couple of doable cyber fraud, police mentioned.
Further DCP (Crime) Rajesh Dantodiya mentioned the case seems to be a complicated occasion of cybercrime involving manipulated visuals. He defined that the “household was satisfied as a result of they noticed what regarded like their very own youngster within the video name. Such movies can now be convincingly morphed utilizing superior know-how”.
Dantodiya mentioned the video confirmed the kid being threatened, however preliminary findings counsel it was not an actual kidnapping. Police have robust causes to consider that deepfake know-how was used to create the extortion video. He added that the crime department has taken up the “investigation to establish these behind the fraud and to hint the digital path linked to the QR code cost”.
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The senior officer additionally issued a public warning, advising residents to not blindly belief video calls or visible content material acquired from unknown sources. He mentioned individuals ought to confirm such claims from a number of channels earlier than making any cost, as cybercriminals are more and more exploiting concern and new applied sciences to hold out frauds.
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