October 3, 2026, (Inside AI) — A 36-year-old former IT professional in Gurugram has been arrested for allegedly creating a fake online identity as an AI content creator to defraud an Italian jewellery designer of 900 euros, or roughly Rs 98,000. The case, which police say began as a professional inquiry about AI-generated video, ended with a cross-border complaint and a promise of marriage that never materialised.
The accused, Akhil Maurya, was taken into custody from Sector 17 on Thursday, according to Gurgaon Police spokesperson ASI Sandeep Kumar. A mobile phone allegedly used in the fraud was seized. Maurya, originally from Bahadurpur village in Uttar Pradesh's Azamgarh, had lost his job in July 2025 and was living in a paying guest accommodation in Sukhrali when he allegedly built the deceptive persona.
Police say Maurya holds a BSc in Information Technology from Agra University, completed in 2011. He worked in technical support and consultancy roles at several firms, including Saxo Group and RiskBerg Consulting, where his last drawn salary was around Rs 1 lakh per month. After losing that job, he faced what investigators describe as an acute financial crisis.
"He was facing an acute financial crisis. To earn money, he created a social media persona claiming to be an AI content and video creator," said Gurugram Assistant Commissioner of Police (Cyber) Gaurav Phogat.
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The victim, Daniela De Pietri, 50, an Italian jewellery designer, first contacted Maurya on Instagram around April. She sought his help creating AI videos to promote her jewellery business. The conversation soon shifted from professional to personal. Investigators allege Maurya used excessive affection and flattery, a tactic known as love bombing, to gain her trust before promising to marry her.
Police say he then told her he needed money urgently for software tools and AI video production projects. De Pietri transferred 450 euros through Western Union on August 4 and another 450 euros on September 10. Maurya collected the funds through a Muthoot Finance branch. After deductions and exchange charges, Rs 67,297 was credited to his bank account. Around Rs 13,000 remained when he was arrested.
When De Pietri realised she had allegedly been cheated, she initially considered filing a complaint in Italy but was deterred by anticipated delays in cross-border coordination. In late July, she contacted ACP Phogat through official channels.
"She contacted us via WhatsApp and narrated the incident. While the defrauded sum was relatively small, she insisted on pursuing the culprit and offered to come to India if an FIR would be registered," Phogat said.
"We stayed in touch with her for nearly two months, assuring her of full legal support upon her arrival," the ACP added.
De Pietri landed in Gurugram on September 28, travelling around 6,000 km, and filed a formal complaint. An FIR was registered at the Cyber Crime Police Station (West). A team led by SHO Inspector Somvir and Sub-Inspector Neeraj traced Maurya through technical surveillance and arrested him within 48 hours. A background check showed no previous criminal record or complaints against him.
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The case highlights a growing trend of fraudsters exploiting the hype around AI to lend credibility to their schemes. By posing as an AI content creator, Maurya tapped into a lucrative and often opaque field where clients may lack the technical knowledge to verify a provider's legitimacy. The relatively small sum involved did not deter the victim from pursuing justice, and Indian cyber police demonstrated a willingness to assist foreign nationals, even without a formal treaty obligation.
Legal experts note that cross-border cybercrime cases often stall due to jurisdictional hurdles and low recovery rates. This case moved relatively quickly because the victim persisted and Indian authorities cooperated. The arrest sends a message that online fraud, regardless of amount, can attract serious consequences.
Maurya remains in custody as investigations continue. Police are examining whether he targeted others using similar tactics. The seized phone will undergo forensic analysis to identify additional victims or accomplices. For now, the case serves as a cautionary tale about the dark side of AI's rising profile, where the promise of cutting-edge services can become a tool for old-fashioned deception.
