Daijiworld Media Network - Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, Feb 1: In a major action against cyber-enabled crime, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch has registered a case against 120 online entities accused of promoting prostitution, circulating obscene content, and defrauding the public through social media and websites, officials confirmed on Sunday.
The move follows sustained digital surveillance and social media monitoring conducted to curb online sex rackets and the exploitation of women in virtual spaces, the Crime Branch said in an official statement.
Those named in the complaint include Instagram accounts, Facebook pages, and multiple websites allegedly being used to run illegal escort operations while misleading users.
Investigators revealed that advanced technical scrutiny exposed a well-coordinated digital network operating within Ahmedabad. These online profiles reportedly used explicit photographs and videos of women to attract customers and drive engagement.
Officials also flagged a growing and troubling trend—the use of artificial intelligence tools to create and circulate obscene content. According to the Crime Branch, such AI-generated material is being deployed under the cover of escort services to avoid detection and deceive both users and potential victims.
The accused platforms allegedly advertised hourly and overnight service rates in Ahmedabad, openly sharing mobile numbers and UPI IDs to collect payments for illegal activities.
Preliminary findings suggest that several individuals were coaxed into transferring money online, only to be cheated later, leading to financial losses. “Apart from being unlawful, these acts gravely violate the dignity of women by portraying them in a degrading manner on public digital platforms,” the official note stated.
Given the sensitive nature of the case and to protect victim privacy as well as preserve digital evidence, the FIR has been marked as “sensitive.”
The case has been registered under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, covering offences related to public obscenity, cheating, and insulting the dignity of women. Charges have also been invoked under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, and the Information Technology Act, 2000.
A senior Crime Branch official said the investigation highlights broader concerns around the misuse of emerging technologies. “We are seeing a spike in complaints involving AI-generated explicit content being abused online. Similar issues are surfacing across platforms, underscoring the urgent need for tighter monitoring and enforcement,” the officer said.
The Crime Branch has urged citizens to stay alert, avoid engaging with unverified online profiles, and refrain from sending money to unknown UPI IDs.
Authorities said further investigation is ongoing to trace, identify, and arrest those behind the alleged digital racket and those who profited from it.