Dating App Trap: Bengaluru Youth Loses Rs 1.53 Lakh After AI-Generated Blackmail

A 26 year old Bengaluru man downloaded the dating app on a slow Sunday night, more out of curiosity than loneliness. Long hours at work, longer evenings alone, and the city always rushing past him made swiping feel harmless. Just something to pass the time. When he matched with a profile named Eshani, it felt like a small break from routine. Someone new. Someone warm.

Eventually, the chats moved away from the dating app ‘happn’ once they shared their personal phone numbers. Then, regular conversations began.

They spoke every day after work. About movies, office stress, missed dreams, and how strange it feels to live in a crowded city yet feel invisible at times. Within days, the conversations felt familiar.

How a simple match slowly became a trap

The profile looked convincing in every way. Attractive photos. Polite messages. A voice that sounded gentle and understanding. The person on the other side built trust quickly, not by rushing, but by listening.

A few days later, the youth received a video call from the woman’s number. When he answered, he was shocked by what appeared on the screen — the woman was seen naked. After a moment of confusion, she urged him to do the same. Drawn in by infatuation, trust, and temptation, he followed her instructions. It is alleged that during this time, the fraudsters secretly recorded his private visuals.

When Trust Turned Into Blackmail

Soon after, the situation took a darker turn. The youth began receiving his own photos and video clips, followed by threats. The fraudsters warned that if he did not pay, the content would be shared with his family, friends, and on social media. Terrified, he transferred money in instalments. In total, Rs 1.53 lakh ended up in the hands of the scammers.

Even after that, the demands did not stop. Repeated calls and messages kept coming, asking for more money. With no other option left, the youth finally approached the Bengaluru central police station and filed a complaint.

During preliminary investigations, the police found that artificial intelligence had been used throughout the operation. The woman who appeared in the video was not real. The visuals and voice had been created using AI to carry out the deception.

Police Move To Trap The Accused

Police have registered a case and launched efforts to track down the culprits. With the help of cyber experts, they are analysing money transfer routes, bank accounts, and technical evidence.

Officials have once again warned dating app users to be extremely cautious while sharing personal details with strangers and not to trust video calls blindly, as such situations can quickly turn dangerous.