Eight Arrested in Mission Cyber Rakshika Operation for Cyberstalking and Identity Theft
Eight individuals have been detained under the Mission Cyber Rakshika initiative in connection with alleged cyberstalking, identity theft, and online harassment targeting female users.
Operation Details
The Ahmedabad City Cyber Crime Branch executed the arrests, which included one female suspect, following multiple complaints from women who reported incidents involving deceptive social media activity, unauthorized messaging, and unauthorized use of personal data. The operation was part of a broader effort to address digital crimes against women, with investigators deploying specialized units to trace suspects across Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Investigation Methods
A total of 11 formal complaints were filed after female officers conducted support sessions with victims, during which detailed accounts of malicious activities were documented. Technical forensic teams analyzed digital evidence to identify perpetrators linked to the alleged offenses.
Key Suspects and Tactics
The accused reportedly exploited public social media profiles to initiate contact, employing tactics such as creating multiple false identities to conceal their activities. One suspect, Suresh Puri, is accused of generating 10 fabricated accounts over six months, using them to distribute explicit content and inappropriate audio files to approximately 300 women. Another individual, Keyur Lakkar, allegedly established eight fake profiles to impersonate female users, leveraging these to engage with the social circles of individuals whose online presence was publicly accessible.
Technological Exploitation
The Cyber Crime Branch also reported the involvement of artificial intelligence in previous cases under the same initiative, where deepfake technology was utilized to generate non-consensual explicit imagery for extortion purposes.
Content Removal and Support
In conjunction with criminal investigations, authorities have worked to remove harmful content and deactivate malicious accounts from online platforms. The mission emphasizes providing a secure channel for women to report cyber-related abuses, including stalking, impersonation, and bullying, while ensuring the confidentiality of complainants.
Law Enforcement Commitment
Law enforcement reiterated that victims can submit reports without fear of exposure, with dedicated teams handling cases under the initiative’s framework. The operation aligns with broader efforts to combat digital misconduct and strengthen safeguards for users navigating online spaces.
According to the Cyber Crime Branch, the mission emphasizes providing a secure channel for women to report cyber-related abuses, including stalking, impersonation, and bullying, while ensuring the confidentiality of complainants.
