Strap: How fake nude images are being used to extort innocent social media users
“If someone has posted many photos online, those images can be used as reference data to create realistic fake photos. Sometimes it becomes very difficult to tell whether the image is real or a deepfake.”
-Adv Rajas Pingle, cybercrime expert
Netizens love to share photographs of themselves while on vacation or visiting new places, often basking in the flood of likes and compliments from friends and well-wishers. What many do not realise is that such innocent posts can expose them to a deeply disturbing cyber threat.
Increasingly, cybercriminals are trawling social media platforms, harvesting publicly available images. In a growing scam, these images are manipulated using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate fake nude photographs. The victims are then blackmailed with threats that the fabricated images will be shared with family members, colleagues, or uploaded to social media and adult websites unless a ransom is paid.
What makes this trend particularly alarming is that, in many cases, the victim has never shared any private photographs at all.
Netizens love to post pictures of themselves on vacation or at a new location. They then bask in the wave of accolades and appreciation that flows from friends and well-wishers. However, little do they know that they could soon be getting the shock of their lives. Nowadays, cybercrooks too visit the social media and view the photos posted by innocent netizens. In the latest scam that has come to light, the cybercrooks pick up the photos posted on social media and generate fake nudes using Artificial Intelligence (AI). Then they blackmail the netizen: Pay up for else we will distribute these to your family members, colleagues, or posted on social media and adult websites. What is alarming is that sometimes the victim may never have shared any private photographs. This new and deeply disturbing cybercrime is spreading across India, and Pune is no exception.
How the crime begins
All the cybercrook needs is one publicly available photograph from Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or even a matrimonial site. AI-powered tools can then be misused to manipulate that image and generate realistic explicit content within minutes.
“Mainstream AI tools like ChatGPT have safety guardrails and will not create obscene images. But there are other tools available on the dark web and Torrent platforms that criminals use to generate fake nude images easily,” says Adv Rajas Pingle, cybercrime expert.
Once the fake image is created, the victim receives a message demanding money, often within hours, with threats of viral circulation.
Why Pune is vulnerable
Pune is a fast-growing IT and education hub with a large population of young professionals and students. High social media usage, digital payments, and widespread smartphone penetration make the city digitally advanced, but also digitally exposed.
Cyber experts in Pune confirm that cases of image morphing, fake profiles, and online blackmail are increasing. While not every case becomes public, the pattern is clear: Criminals are targeting cities where digital footprints are large.
“If someone has posted many photos online, those images can be used as reference data to create realistic fake photos. Sometimes, it becomes very difficult to tell whether the image is real or a deepfake,” warns Pingle.
With Pune’s active online culture, from networking platforms to dating apps, the risk multiplies.
What the law says
Under Indian law, editing someone’s photo into obscene content and circulating it is punishable under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act. If it involves sexual acts, it falls under Section 67A.
However, the rapid growth of AI-generated content has exposed regulatory gaps. “India has issued guidelines for generative AI, but we do not yet have strong, specific AI laws like the European Union’s AI Act. The current IT Act is relevant, but it may not be fully sufficient for new-age cybercrimes,” Pingle explains.
The Central government is reportedly considering stronger legal measures against deepfakes and synthetic content, especially after concerns over misinformation and election manipulation. Proposed amendments may require platforms to label AI-generated content and improve traceability. But enforcement remains a challenge.
Enforcement challenges
“The problem is not just the law, but enforcement. Many of these crimes originate from outside India,” says Pingle.
Even when Pune police register complaints, tracking criminals who operate internationally or pan India becomes complex. Digital evidence, jurisdictional barriers, and manpower limitations slow down investigations.
How the scam is evolving
Cybercrimes are no longer limited to deepfakes. Fake matrimonial profiles, cloned social accounts, and impersonation scams are rising sharply.
“Such scams are increasing rapidly. Fake profiles on matrimonial sites and social media are common. Even two photos from Facebook are enough to create multiple AI-generated images,” Pingle says.
Cybercriminals continually evolve their tactics.
Cybercriminal tactics are ever-evolving.
“Cyber criminals continuously change their methods. Every few months, a new technique appears. The only long-term solution is awareness,” says Pingle.
For Pune’s young workforce and student population, this warning is crucial. One can never say what new method cybercrooks will use to snare innocent netizens. Awareness and vigilance are needed to stay safe.
Psychological impact
When contacted by the cybercrooks with nude deepfakes and demands are made for ransom, victims often panic. The fear of damage to reputation leads many to pay up immediately. Unfortunately, payment of ransom rarely ends the harassment. In many cases, criminals demand more money later. Hence, taking a stand and seeking the help of law-enforcement authorities seems to be a better option. Experts stress that shame and silence empower criminals. Reporting the crime immediately increases the chances of investigation and removal of fake content.
How you can protect yourself
– Limit public sharing of personal photos
– Set social media accounts to private
– Avoid accepting unknown friend requests
– Enable two-factor authentication on all accounts
– Never transfer money under blackmail pressure
– Preserve screenshots and report immediately
– Victims can file complaints through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or approach local cyber police units.
Awareness is key
Though here AI is being misused to create deepfakes, AI itself is not the villain. It is a powerful innovation tool used in education, medicine, design, and communication. But cybercrooks misuse it to commit crimes.
Pune, as one of India’s most digitally active cities, must prepare for this new wave of cybercrime. Stronger laws may take time, but awareness can begin today. Authorities and experts agree that digital literacy campaigns in colleges, housing societies, and workplaces are rapidly needed.
In a world where images can be fabricated in seconds, your online presence is your digital identity. Protect it carefully.
