Faridabad AI shocker: College student dies by suicide; friend made obscene deepfakes, blackmailed him

GURGAON: A 19-year-old college student allegedly died by suicide in Faridabad after being blackmailed with obscene photos and videos created using artificial intelligence (AI), police said on Sunday. Rahul Bharti — a second-year BCom student at DAV College in NIT Faridabad — lived with his family in Baselwa Colony. His friend Sahil created images and videos of him and used them to extort money, police said. "Distressed by the threats and blackmail, Rahul consumed sulphas tablets on Saturday. He was admitted to a hospital but died during treatment in the early hours of Sunday," police spokesperson Yashpal (SI) said. A case under Section 108 (abetment to suicide) of BNS has been registered at Old Faridabad police station. Sahil is being questioned. Rahul's father, Manoj, alleged the family found a long chat between Rahul and Sahil on his phone, in which the accused sent AI-generated nude photos and videos of Rahul and demanded money. "In the last conversation, Sahil threatened that if the money was not paid, the photos and videos would be made viral on social media," the complaint said.