Mangaluru: Employee Arrested for Blackmailing Employer with AI-Generated Morphed Videos
Mangaluru: Urwa Police have apprehended an individual identified as Abhishek Surendra Poojary, a resident of Kaup in Udupi district, on charges of blackmailing his former employer using allegedly AI-generated and morphed videos. The arrest follows a formal complaint lodged with the Urwa Police Station.
According to initial police reports, Mr. Poojary was previously employed at a well-known educational institution in Mangaluru. Approximately two years ago, he allegedly convinced the institution’s owner that there was significant demand for specialized training programs in Dubai, prompting the owner to travel there. Authorities later determined that no such training opportunities existed and that the claim was allegedly fabricated.
Following their return to Mangaluru, Mr. Poojary is accused of creating and using AI-generated and morphed videos to threaten and extort the institution’s owner. He allegedly demanded Rs 2 crore in exchange for not circulating the fabricated content and reportedly instructed that the money be transferred to a bank account held by his wife, identified as Srinidhi Pat.
When the demand was not met, the accused allegedly circulated the morphed and AI-generated videos via WhatsApp to the principals of several prominent colleges in Mangaluru and Udupi, in an attempt to pressure the victim.
The owner’s daughter subsequently filed a formal complaint at the Urwa Police Station, leading to an immediate investigation. Police officials arrested Mr. Poojary, produced him before the court, and he has been remanded to judicial custody pending further proceedings.
Authorities have stated that the investigation is ongoing, including inquiries into the possible involvement of Mr. Poojary’s wife, Srinidhi Pat, in the alleged offences.