The Gujarat cybercrime unit has made significant strides this week by arresting three additional suspects linked to the alarming incident of CCTV video leaks from hospitals across the state. These arrests are part of an extensive investigation aimed at dismantling a nationwide cybercrime racket, which is accused of engaging in the illicit collection and distribution of explicit videos of women.
According to Lavina Sinha, the Deputy Commissioner of Police for Cybercrime, this clandestine operation entailed the hacking of CCTV cameras across various institutions, including hospitals, schools, and even residences. "The accused used hacking tools and stole at least 50,000 videos in nine months, which include footage from schools, factories, colleges, corporate houses, and even bedrooms," Sinha disclosed during a press briefing.
The recent arrests have brought the total number of individuals implicated to six, with the newly apprehended suspects hailing from Gujarat and Maharashtra. They are identified as:
- Parit Dhamelia, a BCom graduate from Surat, trained abroad in CCTV hacking;
- Vaibhav Mane, who holds a BTech degree from Sangli and allegedly marketed the stolen footage on Telegram;
- Ryan Pereira, a management studies student from Vasai, claimed to have facilitated sales of the illicit footage.
Earlier this month, law enforcement had already captured other key figures including the alleged mastermind, Prajwal Taili, from Latur, Maharashtra, along with Praj Patil from Sangli and Chandraprakash Phoolchand from Prayagraj. Disturbingly, Taili and Patil were revealed to be aspiring medical students, preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
Investigations revealed Dhamelia's sophisticated approach involving three types of software to penetrate CCTV systems. His brute-force attacks targeted unsecured internet protocol addresses and ports, granting him unauthorized access to streams from hospital cameras, precisely the Rajkot facility implicated.
After gaining control, Dhamelia shared the unauthorized content with Pereira and another associate, Rohit Sisodia, who remains on the run. The latter then passed the footage to Taili, who was responsible for peddling the material through Telegram channels frequented by individuals seeking explicit content. Reports indicated profitable transactions earning them significant sums, reportedly lakhs of rupees, through online sales.
This gang's operations have also raised eyebrows due to their voyeuristic methods of filming. Besides illicitly accessing CCTV footage, they reportedly utilized hidden cameras and mobile devices to capture their disturbing content. The cybercriminals disguised their true location by utilizing virtual private networks (VPNs) showing locations as far afield as Romania and Atlanta, complicate the investigation.
The case came to light after local cybercrime officers discovered explicit videos from the Payal Maternity Home during routine checks. These shocking findings led investigators to file charges of cyber terrorism against the alleged criminals.
The situation escalated as the Cyber Crime Branch revealed another layer of this heinous racket. Allegations against one of the suspects, Chandraprakash, surfaced indicating he had previously uploaded videos of women taking baths during the Mahakumbh pilgrimage at Prayagraj. This indicates the broad extent of their depravity, extending beyond hacking hospital cameras to exploiting public privacy for profit.
Initial police reports indicated video clips of female patients undergoing medical examinations appeared on social media, alarming the public due to the breach of medical privacy. Specific videos depicted scenarios as invasive as female patients being treated by female doctors, raising ethical concerns surrounding the violation of both privacy and dignity.
Law enforcement notes the hackers sold these clips for between Rs 800 to Rs 2000 each, amassing impressive earnings reportedly between Rs 8 to 9 lakh within seven to eight months. Evidence collected from the suspects’ laptops now includes over 2,000 clips, which authorities are reviewing as part of the broader investigation.
The authorities are pressing on with the investigation, working diligently to identify additional individuals connected to this grotesque cybercrime network. The revelations surrounding these arrests highlight the urgent need for enhanced security measures to safeguard against such breaches, particularly within sensitive settings like hospitals.
At the heart of this scandal is not just the violation of privacy, but also the ethical and emotional toll it may take on the victims. The push to hold these cybercriminals accountable continues as the Cyber Crime Branch pledges to restore public confidence and safety.