Threats Made to MLC Using Deepfake Videos

A gang allegedly created obscene and objectionable deepfake and morphed videos of an MLC and threatened to circulate them on social media unless he paid them money. According to Narsingi police, the gang initially demanded Rs. 5 crore but eventually agreed to settle for Rs. 5 lakh. The MLC, Mirza Rahmath Baig, approached the police after receiving the threats. Acting on his complaint, police arrested six members of the gang and recovered Rs. 4.70 lakh from them. The accused allegedly targeted the MLC as part of a plan to make easy money.

Police said that a group of 14 people, including Mohammed Mohisin Khan, a poultry trader from Bandlaguda in Chandrayangutta, Hyderabad, Fatima Begum, Mohammed Sameer, Mohammed Zameer, Syed Rehan and Mohammed Imran, an auto driver from Barkas, was involved in the racket. The accused allegedly collected some private videos related to the MLC and manipulated them using deepfake technology to make them obscene. They then sent the videos to his mobile phone and threatened to publish them on social media, demanding Rs. 5 crore. Following the complaint, police coordinated with the MLC and negotiated with the gang as part of their operation. The deal was eventually settled at Rs. 5 lakh.

As part of the police operation, the MLC asked the accused to collect the money from his office in Ibrahim Bagh. On Thursday, six members of the gang arrived at the office and collected the cash, which had been packed in a box. Police personnel led by Inspector Vishnuvardhan Reddy, who were already waiting nearby, caught them while they were attempting to escape with the money. A total of Rs. 4.70 lakh was recovered. The remaining eight accused are absconding, and police have launched a search for them. Mirza Rahmath Baig was earlier suspended from the MIM following allegations of sexual assault against a young woman. Police are investigating whether any of his rivals were involved in the blackmail plot and are trying to identify the masterminds and the motive behind targeting him. Further details are expected after the absconding accused are arrested.