Akhil Maurya, a 36-year-old former IT employee, was apprehended by the Gurugram Police on Thursday after being accused of impersonating an AI content creator online and defrauding an Italian jewelry designer of 900 euros, approximately Rs 98,000. Just a year prior, Maurya was earning around Rs 1 lakh monthly in his profession.
After losing his job in July 2025, Maurya resided in a paying guest accommodation in Sector 17, Sukhrali, Gurugram. It was during this period that he allegedly constructed a fictitious online identity to generate income. His interactions with the designer, 50-year-old Daniela De Pietri, began with discussions about AI-generated videos but quickly escalated into romantic promises and financial solicitations.
Originally from Bahadurpur village in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Maurya was apprehended in Sector 17, where police recovered a mobile device purportedly used in the fraudulent activities, as reported by Gurgaon Police spokesperson ASI Sandeep Kumar.
Investigations revealed that Maurya earned a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Agra University, graduating in 2011. He subsequently held various roles in technical support and consulting at several IT firms, including Saxo Group and RiskBerg Consulting, where he last received a salary of around Rs 1 lakh.
After his unemployment began, Maurya faced severe financial difficulties, prompting him to create a social media profile that falsely portrayed him as an AI content and video creator, according to Gurugram Assistant Commissioner of Police (Cyber) Gaurav Phogat.
According to police reports, Maurya connected with De Pietri on Instagram in April. Initially, she sought his assistance in producing AI videos to enhance her jewelry brand’s visibility.
However, the dialogue soon turned intimate. Authorities stated that Maurya employed tactics such as “love bombing” to manipulate De Pietri into trusting him, ultimately leading him to propose marriage.
He allegedly claimed to require urgent funds for software and video production projects, resulting in De Pietri transferring 450 euros to him via Western Union on August 4 and another 450 euros on September 10. Maurya picked up the funds at a Muthoot Finance branch.
After fees and currency exchange deductions, approximately Rs 67,297 was deposited into Maurya’s bank account, leaving around Rs 13,000 at the time of his arrest, law enforcement stated.
Upon realizing she had been deceived, De Pietri contemplated submitting a complaint in Italy but was discouraged by the expected complications of international processes. By late July, she reached out to ACP Phogat through official channels.
“She contacted us via WhatsApp, explaining her situation. Although the amount involved was relatively modest, she was determined to pursue legal action against the perpetrator and expressed her willingness to travel to India for the registration of an FIR,” Phogat noted.
“We maintained communication with her for nearly two months, assuring her of our full support upon her arrival,” the ACP added.
De Pietri arrived in Gurugram on September 28, having traveled approximately 6,000 kilometers, and subsequently filed a formal complaint, leading to the registration of an FIR at the Cyber Crime Police Station (West).
A police team, led by SHO Inspector Somvir and Sub-Inspector Neeraj, utilized technical surveillance to locate Maurya and arrested him within 48 hours, as per police sources.
Background checks confirmed that Maurya had no prior criminal history or complaints against him.
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