AI Girlfriend Scam Exposed: How a Bengaluru Techie Lost Everything to a Deepfake Sextortion Racket

Love, sex aur dhokha: Bengaluru techie strips for ‘AI girlfriend’; falls into sextortion racket

He thought he’d found a spark in the digital void—a charming, responsive woman on a popular dating app. They chatted, they flirted, and soon, she suggested a video call. For the 22-year-old Bengaluru techie, it felt like the start of something real. But in reality, he was walking straight into a meticulously crafted digital snare. The woman on the other end wasn’t real; she was a sophisticated AI girlfriend scam, and the entire interaction was a setup for a brutal sextortion racket .

This harrowing incident, reported to the local cybercrime cell, is a terrifying glimpse into the future of online fraud. Criminals are no longer just phishing for passwords; they’re using hyper-realistic deepfakes and AI personas to manipulate emotions, exploit trust, and extort money. If you’re active on any social or dating platform, this story is a must-read wake-up call.

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The Bengaluru Incident: How the AI Girlfriend Scam Unfolded

The victim, a young professional working in the city’s famed tech corridor, matched with a profile that seemed genuine. The conversations were engaging, and the person on the other end appeared to share his interests. The trust built over days of messaging created a false sense of security .

The turning point came when she initiated a video call. During the call, she encouraged him to undress, all while secretly recording the entire session. Within hours, the friendly tone vanished. He received a message threatening to leak the explicit video to his family, friends, and employer unless he paid Rs 1.5 lakh in cryptocurrency. Paralyzed by fear and shame, he filed a police complaint, which is now under investigation by the cybercrime unit.

What is an AI Girlfriend Scam and How Does it Work?

An AI girlfriend scam is a sophisticated form of social engineering that leverages artificial intelligence to create a fake but highly convincing romantic persona. Here’s the typical playbook:

  1. Profile Creation: Scammers use AI tools to generate realistic profile pictures and bios, often scraping data from real social media accounts to add authenticity.
  2. Relationship Building: They engage in lengthy, emotionally manipulative conversations to build trust and intimacy, a process known as “grooming.”
  3. The Trap: Once a strong emotional bond is established, they push the victim towards a private video call or request explicit photos/videos.
  4. Extortion: The recorded content is then used as leverage for blackmail, with threats of public exposure or reporting to authorities.

The use of deepfake technology means the person on the video call can look and sound incredibly real, making it nearly impossible for the average user to detect the fraud in real-time.

The Rise of Deepfake Sextortion in India

This Bengaluru case is not an isolated event. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), cybercrimes involving fake profiles and extortion have seen a sharp uptick in the past two years. A report by a leading cybersecurity firm noted a 300% increase in deepfake-related fraud attempts in India during 2025 alone .

The accessibility of AI tools has democratized this criminal activity. What once required a team of experts can now be executed by a single individual with a laptop and an internet connection. For authoritative statistics and safety guidelines, the Indian government’s official portal, cybercrime.gov.in, is an essential resource for all citizens.

Red Flags to Spot a Fake Online Profile

Protecting yourself starts with awareness. Be extremely cautious if you notice these warning signs:

  • Too Perfect: The profile picture is model-quality, and the bio is generic or overly flattering.
  • Rapid Intimacy: They declare strong feelings or push for a serious relationship very quickly.
  • Reluctance to Video Chat (Initially): They make excuses to avoid live video calls until they are ready to spring their trap.
  • Requests for Money or Explicit Content: Any request for financial help or intimate photos/videos is a massive red flag.

What to Do If You’re a Victim of Sextortion

If you find yourself in this terrifying situation, remember: you are not alone, and you are the victim of a crime.

  1. Do Not Pay: Paying the blackmailers almost always leads to further demands.
  2. Stop All Communication: Block the perpetrator on all platforms immediately.
  3. Preserve Evidence: Take screenshots of all messages and save any relevant data.
  4. Report It: File a complaint with your local police and on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at cybercrime.gov.in.

You can also seek support from our guide on [INTERNAL_LINK:what-to-do-after-cyber-blackmail].

Conclusion: Staying Safe in the Age of AI Deception

The AI girlfriend scam that victimized the Bengaluru techie is a sobering reminder that our digital lives are increasingly vulnerable to manipulation. As AI technology becomes more advanced and accessible, so do the tools of criminals. The best defense is a healthy dose of skepticism, a strong understanding of online safety protocols, and the knowledge that if something feels too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and never let a digital illusion compromise your real-world safety.

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