In a major action against cyber fraud, the Mumbai Cyber Police have arrested Delhi-based YouTuber Piyush Katyal for allegedly duping a 45-year-old woman of Rs 19 lakh under the guise of needing medical assistance.
Piyush Katyal, who is known for his prank videos on YouTube and boasts a social media following of over 5 lakh, allegedly established contact with the woman around four to five months ago. According to officials, the victim began following Katyal after coming across his content online. Their interaction began through social media comments and eventually progressed to the exchange of personal contact numbers.
As per the police, Katyal gradually started requesting money under the pretense of medical emergencies. Initially sympathetic to his situation, the woman transferred money believing she was offering genuine help. However, his demands began to escalate, both in frequency and amount.
When the victim refused to send additional money, Katyal allegedly threatened her, claiming he would leak private chats and defame her on social media.
Following the threats, the woman approached the North Cyber Police Station in Mumbai and filed a formal complaint. A case was registered, and an FIR was lodged. Acting swiftly, a police team traced Katyal's location and arrested him from Delhi.
He was brought to Mumbai and produced before the court, which has remanded him to police custody for five days to facilitate further investigation into the case.
The incident has once again brought attention to the abuse of digital platforms by social media influencers for personal gain. Police officials have urged citizens to exercise caution while engaging with online personalities, especially when monetary transactions are involved.
Further investigation is underway to determine if Katyal has similarly defrauded other individuals using his social media presence.