Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Jun 21: The cyber crime police have taken into custody three men arrested for allegedly using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to create and circulate obscene deepfake images and videos of actress Rukmini Vasanth on social media, exposing a disturbing misuse of emerging technology for online exploitation.
The accused have been identified as Ravikumar (24) of Chilakamukhi village in Bagalkote district, Chandrakanth (33) of Thirthahalli in Shivamogga district, and Ranjith Kumar (25) of Mahalakshmi Layout in Bengaluru. The police arrested the trio during operations carried out at multiple locations.
Actress Rukmini Vasanth, accused Ravikumar, Chandrakanth & Ranjith Kumar
According to investigators, the three accused came from different professional backgrounds and were employed as a tech professional, a YouTuber, and an auditor. The police have seized three mobile phones allegedly used in creating and distributing the manipulated content.
Misuse of AI tools
The cyber crime police stated that the accused used AI-based applications and software to digitally alter photographs and videos of actresses by superimposing their faces onto obscene videos. The fabricated content was then allegedly circulated through social media platforms.
The three accused have since been produced before a court and remanded to police custody for further interrogation, as investigators seek to uncover the full extent of the operation.
Motives revealed
Sources said Ranjith Kumar was employed as a software professional and earned an annual salary package of nearly Rs 20 lac. Ravikumar, meanwhile, is said to possess considerable technical expertise and played a key role in the creation of the deepfake content.
During questioning, Ranjith allegedly admitted that he had been creating deepfake videos of actresses "for entertainment", according to sources familiar with the investigation.
Investigators also found that Ravikumar had completed his BSc in nursing and was running a YouTube channel. Having recently received his first earnings from the platform, he allegedly began uploading deepfake videos of actresses in an attempt to boost viewership and expand his online reach.
Chandrakanth was working as an auditor in Bengaluru and reportedly had a stable and well-paying job. Despite having a good income, the police alleged that he was involved in creating deepfake videos for what they described as "perverse pleasure".
The police are continuing to examine the seized devices and digital evidence to determine the scale of the network, identify possible additional victims, and ascertain whether others were involved in producing or sharing the manipulated content online.