A 19-year-old college student from Faridabad, Haryana, died by suicide after falling victim to an alarming case of AI-based blackmail. The victim, identified as Rahul Bharti, was a second-year student at DAV College. According to the police, he was being extorted with AI-generated morphed images and videos depicting him and his three sisters in obscene situations. The accused allegedly demanded ₹20,000 from Rahul and threatened to release the fake visuals on social media if he failed to pay the amount.
The incident occurred in Baselwa Colony, where Rahul lived with his family. His father, Manoj Bharti, told the police that the blackmail had begun around two weeks prior to the tragedy. He said that Rahul’s phone had been hacked, and shortly afterward, he began receiving disturbing WhatsApp messages containing the fabricated images and videos. The repeated threats caused immense psychological pressure, pushing Rahul into a state of deep anxiety and fear. His father noticed drastic changes in his behavior over the past fifteen days—he had stopped eating properly, rarely interacted with the family, and spent most of his time locked in his room.
On Saturday evening, around 7 p.m., Rahul consumed sulphas tablets, a deadly pesticide, inside his room. His family discovered him and rushed him to a nearby hospital, but despite efforts, he succumbed during treatment. The family, originally from Siwan district in Bihar, has lived in Faridabad for almost fifty years. Manoj, who works as a driver, said his youngest son was bright and soft-spoken. The sudden loss has left the family shattered, demanding strict action against those responsible for driving Rahul to such a desperate act.
During the police investigation, Manoj handed over Rahul’s phone, which revealed several WhatsApp chats with a person named Sahil. The chats showed that Sahil had sent Rahul AI-generated obscene images and demanded money in exchange for not leaking them online. The final conversation between the two revealed that Sahil had taunted Rahul, daring him to end his life and even suggesting how he could do it. Manoj also suspected another person, Neeraj, a friend of Rahul, to be involved, as Rahul’s last phone call before his death was with him. Both Sahil and Neeraj have been named in the police complaint.
Officials at the Old Faridabad police station have confirmed that a case has been registered, and a search is underway to trace the accused. Station in-charge Vishnu Kumar described the case as a chilling reminder of how artificial intelligence can be misused to commit heinous acts of psychological extortion. He said that the police are examining phone records, chat histories, and possible IP addresses to determine how the AI-generated content was created and circulated.
The incident has triggered widespread outrage, drawing attention to the dangers of deepfake technology and digital blackmail. Experts have warned that such misuse of AI is becoming an emerging threat, with many individuals falling prey to fake visuals and extortion. They emphasize the urgent need for digital literacy, awareness campaigns, and stronger cybercrime laws to prevent the weaponization of artificial intelligence against innocent citizens.
Rahul’s death stands as a heartbreaking reminder of how technology, when placed in the wrong hands, can destroy lives. The case not only exposes the growing menace of AI-driven cybercrimes but also raises critical questions about mental health, online privacy, and the moral responsibilities of society in an increasingly digital world.
