Ahmedabad YouTuber who blackmailed minors, traders by posting assault videos and extorting money arrested

In a crackdown on social media-fuelled extortion, Gaekwad Haveli police on Wednesday arrested a YouTuber from Ahmedabad for allegedly blackmailing minors and local businessmen by uploading assault videos on his YouTube channel and demanding money for their removal.

The accused, identified as Auzef Tirmizi, was arrested in connection with a case registered under charges of extortion and criminal intimidation. According to police, Tirmizi had filmed a video involving a minor being assaulted over a monetary dispute with his friends in Jamalpur. The video was later posted on YouTube, and Tirmizi allegedly demanded ₹10,000 from the boy to delete the footage. Even after receiving ₹5,000, he continued to post more videos and threatened the minor for further payment.

“The family of the minor approached us after realising that Auzef was blackmailing their son despite paying him,” said Gaekwad Havei Police Inspector Chirag Goswami of Gaekwad Haveli police station. Acting on the complaint, police tracked Auzef to Prantij, where he had gone into hiding.

In a desperate attempt to evade arrest, Auzef reportedly consumed phenyl while in the custody of Prantij police. He was immediately taken for medical treatment and then placed under arrest.

Police investigations revealed that Auzef Tirmizi is part of a larger group allegedly involved in multiple blackmail and extortion cases. Other members of the gang include Abeda Pathan, Azim Khan, and Sabir Sheikh. So far, nine cases have been registered against them across police stations including Chandkheda, Shahpur, Vejalpur, Danilimda, Cyber Crime Branch, and Gaekwad Haveli.

The gang's modus operandi, according to police, involved filming individuals—often minors, local businessmen, or builders—during disputes or altercations, and then uploading these videos on YouTube to publicly shame the victims. The accused would then extort money in exchange for taking the videos down. In some cases, lakhs of rupees were extracted under threats of viral exposure.

“Several victims were coerced into paying large sums under pressure of defamation or social embarrassment,” PI Goswami added.

A woman accused in the same gang, Abeda Pathan, reportedly escaped from police custody after allegedly making false allegations against officers when a team attempted to detain her.

Auzef is currently being remanded to police custody as Gaekwad Haveli police begin further interrogation. He was already wanted in three separate cases filed at Gaekwad Haveli and Shahpur police stations.

Authorities have now launched a manhunt for the remaining three wanted accused in the gang. Police are also examining the group’s YouTube activity and working to identify the full extent of victims targeted by the racket.

“We urge citizens to report such cases and refrain from succumbing to digital blackmail. Strict action will be taken against those who misuse social media platforms for extortion,” said Goswami.

The case has once again raised concerns over unregulated video content on social platforms and the growing trend of blackmail through viral videos.