Influencer With 57 Million Followers Falls Victim to Cyber Extortion, Loses ₹50 Lakh

Bhopal | October 23, 2025 In a shocking case that exposes the dark side of digital fame, a 28-year-old social media influencer from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, has reportedly lost ₹50 lakh to a group of cyber extortionists. The victim, Azim Ahmed, commands an enormous online presence with over 57 million followers across 96 Instagram pages. According to the complaint filed with the Jabalpur Cyber Cell, Ahmed was targeted by cybercriminals who repeatedly threatened to “strike” or “ban” his social media accounts unless he paid them large sums of money. The extortionists allegedly sent fake copyright violation notices and phishing emails, posing as mediators or representatives claiming to have the power to prevent his accounts from being suspended. Ahmed, a software engineer turned digital entrepreneur, said that the ordeal began nearly a year ago. His first Instagram page, created in 2017, gained massive traction during the COVID-19 lockdowns, leading to the creation of several more successful pages and eventually a digital marketing startup called Whoopy Digital, which he co-founded with friends. However, the same success that propelled him into the spotlight also made him a target for scammers. “For almost a year, I’ve been getting fake copyright strikes. They claim my content belongs to them and demand payment to stop my accounts from being deleted,” Ahmed revealed. Initially dismissing the threats as spam, he later began receiving direct phone calls from people posing as intermediaries who offered to “remove fake strikes” in exchange for payment. “A caller from Pune demanded ₹25,000 to ₹30,000 to remove each strike. They had all my account details and sounded very convincing,” he said. Fearing the permanent loss of his accounts—and consequently his livelihood—Ahmed began paying small amounts that eventually added up to ₹50 lakh over several months. The fraudsters even sent official-looking fake emails and documents mimicking Instagram’s automated messages, making the scam appear legitimate. The case has drawn attention from cybercrime authorities across the state. Jabalpur Cyber Cell in-charge Neeraj Negi confirmed that this is the first case of its kind in the city, where criminals used fake content strikes as a means of extortion. “This represents a new form of cybercrime where fraudsters exploit social media platforms’ automated systems to manipulate victims,” Negi said. He added that the police have contacted Instagram’s internal team to trace the source of the fake notifications and identify the individuals behind the operation. “We are coordinating with the platform’s security division to determine how these false strikes were generated and whether insider access or third-party tools were used,” Negi said. Ahmed’s experience has sparked concern among digital creators and influencers who depend on social media platforms for income. Many have voiced fears about the lack of direct communication channels with major platforms during such crises. As the investigation continues, the case stands as a warning to India’s rapidly growing influencer community—illustrating that even those with massive followings are not immune to digital fraud, and that vigilance and cybersecurity awareness are now as vital as content creation itself. Digital Fame, Real Threats Azim Ahmed, a 28-year-old influencer from Jabalpur with 57 million followers, fell victim to cyber extortion and lost ₹50 lakh. Fraudsters threatened to ban his Instagram pages using fake copyright strikes and phishing emails, posing as mediators demanding payment. Fearing the loss of his digital empire, Azim paid repeatedly until realizing the scale of the scam. The Jabalpur Cyber Cell has launched an investigation, calling it a new form of cybercrime targeting creators. The case is a stark reminder that online fame can attract real-world dangers—and that digital success needs digital security.