The Medical Outpost Police in Siliguri have arrested Hemant Sharma, a man from Pakyong, Sikkim, for allegedly cheating multiple women by posing as a commercial airline co-pilot using AI-generated photos and fake identities on social media.
Sharma reportedly used Artificial Intelligence tools to edit his photographs to make it appear as though he was dressed in a co-pilot’s uniform. With this fabricated identity, he gained access to women on dating apps and Instagram, targeting young professionals, particularly airhostesses and nurses.
The scam unraveled when a nurse from North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) filed a complaint alleging that Sharma had befriended her on social media, gained her trust, and then convinced her to part with four grams of gold under false pretenses.
Following the complaint, police arrested Sharma on May 6 from the Durga Mandir area near Shiv Mandir, Siliguri. He was remanded to three days of police custody and during interrogation, confessed to the fraud. The stolen gold was later recovered.
Investigators revealed that Sharma had once worked as ground staff at Bengaluru Airport, but later began impersonating a co-pilot to commit online fraud. Police suspect he has duped over 300 women, many of whom were airhostesses.
Sharma was produced again in Siliguri court following the end of his police custody. Authorities say further investigation is underway to identify additional victims and uncover the full extent of the fraud.
