Mumbai Tailor Arrested for Secretly Filming Women and Sharing Morphed Images

Mumbai Police have arrested a 31-year-old man for illegally capturing and distributing explicit content of women via social media.

Origins of the Investigation

The case emerged after a female college student identified digitally altered media of herself circulating online. During a train journey, she and a companion encountered the content on a social media platform. The material was posted under an account labeled “Playboy,” prompting the victim to report the incident to law enforcement.

Identification of the Suspect

The accused, identified as Mohammad Sabir Mohammed Rustam, resides in Char Rasta, Vasai, and previously worked as a tailor in Santacruz West. Police linked the social media activity to a mobile number associated with the suspect, leading to his arrest. Investigators confirmed that videos of the complainant were among the recovered materials.

Tracing the Digital Footprint

South Cyber Police contacted Meta, the parent company of the platform hosting the content, to obtain details related to the account. Through this collaboration, authorities obtained a mobile number and analyzed payment records tied to UPI transactions linked to the account. These findings facilitated the identification and apprehension of the suspect.

Recovered Evidence

Police reported discovering more than 200 images and videos of women on the accused’s phone. Investigators believe some of the recordings were captured at railway stations without the subjects’ knowledge. Ongoing analysis aims to pinpoint the exact locations of the recordings and assess whether the altered content was distributed for financial gain or through online engagement metrics.

Legal Proceedings

A case under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, which addresses the publication or transmission of obscene electronic material, has been filed. Law enforcement is actively working to identify additional victims from the recovered data and notify them of the investigation.

Significance of the Case

This incident highlights the risks associated with unauthorized recordings in public spaces, which can be exploited to generate and distribute non-consensual manipulated content. Authorities are continuing to evaluate the scope of the suspect’s activities, including potential financial motivations and the possibility of further victims coming forward.