18-Year-Old Arrested for Developing AI-Powered Fake Apps in Rs 65 Crore Cyber Fraud
Surat Police arrested 18-year-old Rohit Virendrasinh Shakya, a Class 11 dropout from Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly developing AI-powered fake banking and government apps used in a cyber fraud causing losses of around Rs 64-65 crore. Shakya reportedly created 121 malicious APK files, sold via subscription to cybercriminal gangs in Jharkhand, Haryana, and Rajasthan. The apps mimicked trusted services and enabled fraudsters to access sensitive data remotely. The investigation began after a Surat resident lost Rs 5 lakh to a fake app in May 2023.
First-hand measurement across 5 sources
We measured how 5 outlets covered this story. No outlet gave this story a measurable political slant — there is no left–right reading to report. Overall sentiment is neutral (47/100). Lens Score 49/100.
Outlets measured: ndtv, freepressjournal, freepressjournal, news18, indiatoday. See how each one headlined and framed the same story in the source comparison below.
AI Analysis
Sentiment was consistent across outlets (45–48/100), indicating broadly factual reporting rather than editorialising.
Coverage timeline
indiatoday broke this story on 21 Jul, 03:51 pm. Other outlets followed.