Mumbai Police Arrest 20-Year-Old Cyberstalker Who Targeted Over 700 Young Girls

Mumbai — In a disturbing case that has raised serious concerns about online safety for children, Mumbai Police have arrested a 20-year-old man from Bhavnagar, Gujarat, who allegedly collected explicit images of more than 700 teenage and pre-teen girls for blackmail.

The accused, Alfaz Anwar Ali, was taken into custody on September 5, following complaints that Instagram accounts of young girls were being hacked and used to threaten and sexually exploit them, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber Crime) Dr. Rashmi Karandikar told NDTV.

Ali, who was tracked down to Bhavnagar—a diamond-cutting city about 170 km south of Ahmedabad—had previously been arrested in Pune on similar charges, Dr. Karandikar added.

According to police investigations, Ali created fake Instagram accounts under female names to befriend girls between 9 and 15 years old. He allegedly convinced them to share their photos, which he then used to blackmail them, including by manipulating the images.

The Mumbai Police have registered a case at the Crime Branch Cyber Police Station and are working to reach out to the victims to ensure their safety and provide support.

Authorities are also urging parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s online activity and educate them about the dangers of interacting with strangers on social media.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the risks children face online and the importance of cyber vigilance, both at home and in schools.