From Rs 1-lakh job to fake AI persona: Gurugram man who duped Italian designer, promised marriage, arrested

Akhil Maurya, a 36-year-old former IT professional from Bahadurpur village in Uttar Pradesh, was arrested in Gurugram on Thursday for allegedly defrauding an Italian jewellery designer. Once earning around Rs 1 lakh per month, Maurya is now in police custody accused of creating a fake online persona to dupe Daniela De Pietri, a 50-year-old jewellery designer, of 900 euros (approximately Rs 98,000).

According to Gurugram Police spokesperson ASI Sandeep Kumar, Maurya was arrested from Sector 17 in the city. Just prior to his apprehension, a mobile phone linked to the fraud was seized by the authorities.

In April, Maurya and De Pietri began communicating on Instagram about AI videos to promote her jewellery business. As their interactions deepened, Maurya allegedly shifted from professional conversation to personal promises of marriage and requests for money. Utilizing excessive affection and flattery, police described his behavior as "love bombing," a tactic designed to gain De Pietri's trust. Maurya claimed he urgently needed financial support for software tools and AI video production projects.

Through Western Union, De Pietri transferred 450 euros on August 4 and another 450 euros on September 10. Upon deductions and exchange charges, Maurya's bank account received Rs 67,297, leaving him with Rs 13,000 at the time of his arrest.

De Pietri initially considered filing a complaint in Italy but was deterred by the anticipated delays in cross-border coordination. Upon learning of the alleged fraud, she turned to Gurugram authorities via official channels, reaching out through WhatsApp and narrating the incident. Despite the relatively small amount defrauded, she insisted on pursuing justice and offered to travel to India if an FIR would be registered.

ACP Phogat assured her full legal support upon her arrival in Gurugram, where she filed a formal complaint. Subsequent to her complaint, an FIR was registered at the Cyber Crime Police Station (West). Technical surveillance and an efficient response led to Maurya's arrest within 48 hours of the complaint being filed, with no prior criminal history or complaints against him.