Man uses AI to post videos of lavish lifestyle as WhatsApp status, robbed of Rs 10 lakh

Published 8 July 2026 · tech

A Nagpur man's attempt to project a lavish lifestyle on WhatsApp turned into a nightmare after his own acquaintance targeted his home, believing he possessed

A Nagpur man's attempt to project a lavish lifestyle on WhatsApp turned into a nightmare after his own acquaintance targeted his home, believing he possessed huge amounts of cash and valuables. Police have arrested two accused in the case, who not only carried out the burglary but also demanded a ransom of Rs 40 lakh while threatening to kill the man's wife and children. Read Full Story The incident took place in Nagpur's Beltarodi area, where resident Sameer Yachalwar frequently uploaded WhatsApp Status videos portraying himself as the owner of substantial wealth.

During the investigation, police found that the videos had been created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and did not reflect his actual financial status. However, the videos convinced the main accused, Shreyas Borkar, an acquaintance of Sameer, that large amounts of cash and jewellery were stored inside the house. Investigators said Borkar, along with an accomplice, then planned the burglary and subsequent extortion. According to Sameer's complaint, he had left for work in the morning and returned home in the evening to find the main door open. Around 4.5 lakh worth of jewellery and 4 lakh in cash had been stolen.

At the time of the theft, his wife and children were asleep inside the house. While the police investigation was underway, Sameer received a WhatsApp call from the accused demanding 40 lakh as ransom. The caller allegedly threatened to kill his wife and children if the money was not paid. During the investigation, CCTV footage captured a man throwing a bag out of the house. Police subsequently traced the registration number of the getaway vehicle used by the accused. Investigators also uncovered a sophisticated surveillance method employed by the suspects. They had allegedly hidden a mobile phone in silent mode inside Sameer's motorcycle to monitor his movements.

By tracking the device, they were able to determine when he was away from home and executed the burglary accordingly. The investigation has highlighted the potential risks of displaying perceived wealth on social media, particularly when such posts can attract the attention of criminals. Police have arrested both accused, and further investigation into the case is underway at Beltarodi Police Station. Ends (Inputs from Yogesh Vasant Pande)