Rajasthan Police have dismantled an interstate cyber fraud gang accused of defrauding and blackmailing a 56-year-old woman from Jhalawar under the guise of purchasing old and rare coins, a scheme that allegedly drove her to suicide. Six accused, including alleged kingpin Ajit Yadav, were arrested in Bihar on 6 November 2026, while three juveniles — two boys and a girl — have been detained in connection with the case.

Who Was the Victim and How the Fraud Began

The deceased, Madhubala Thakur, was a resident of Subhash Colony, Jhalawar. The fraud reportedly began when she responded to social media advertisements circulated by the gang under the name 'RJ Gyani Old Coin Company', which claimed to buy old coins and rare currency notes for lakhs of rupees. Initially, the accused demanded relatively modest payments, before gradually escalating demands under shifting pretexts. When Madhubala expressed her inability to pay further and sought a refund, the harassment allegedly intensified.

AI-Generated Threats and Forged Documents

According to Jhalawar Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar, the gang deployed a sophisticated toolkit of intimidation. Investigators found that the accused sent AI-generated photographs and videos via WhatsApp — including fabricated footage of police officers assaulting a young man, images of a damaged car, an injured person, and fake hospital bills — all allegedly used to extort additional money under the pretext of medical emergencies.

The gang further sent a forged notice bearing a fake Delhi Police letterhead, containing Madhubala's name, address and photograph, falsely claiming that ₹5.50 lakh had been seized. They also threatened to implicate her son in a serious criminal case and allegedly warned that his life could be in danger. Unable to bear the sustained financial losses, mental harassment and threats to her family, Madhubala died by suicide.

How Police Cracked the Case

Madhubala's daughter, Kalpana Thakur, lodged a complaint at Kotwali police station on 1 November 2024, following her mother's death. Police initially registered a case under provisions relating to abetment to suicide and began examining the deceased's mobile phone. Technical analysis of digital evidence revealed links to Bihar, pointing to an organised interstate cyber fraud network.

A special investigation team (SIT) was constituted under the guidance of Additional Superintendent of Police Bhagchand Meena and the supervision of Circle Officer Harshraj Singh Khareda. Investigators examined mobile phone data, bank accounts, online transactions, UPI QR codes and call records to trace the movement of extorted funds and identify suspects.

Coordinated Raids Across Bihar

Three police teams, led by the station house officers of Bakani, Raipur and Mandawar police stations, travelled approximately 1,500 km from Jhalawar to Bihar. With assistance from police in Saharsa, Madhepura and Khagaria districts, the teams conducted coordinated raids at multiple locations on 6 November 2026. Six accused were arrested and mobile phones used in the fraud and financial transactions were seized.

After obtaining transit remand from a local court, the six accused were brought to Jhalawar and produced before the court, where they have been remanded to three days of police custody. The three juveniles have been sent to a juvenile observation home. Provisions relating to cheating, extortion and the Information Technology Act have since been added to the original case.

What Comes Next

Further investigation is underway. Police said continued interrogation of the arrested accused is expected to reveal additional details about the network's full scale and operations. This case highlights the growing misuse of AI-generated media and forged official documents in cyber extortion schemes targeting ordinary citizens — a pattern that authorities say is becoming increasingly common across India.