Delhi-Based YouTuber, Known for Prank Videos, Held for Cheating Mumbai Woman of ₹19 Lakh

Mumbai: A Delhi-based YouTuber famous for his prank videos was arrested allegedly for cheating a woman by taking Rs 19 lakh from her, said the Mumbai Police on Sunday after the apprehension. According to them, the accused threatened the 45-year-old victim for money, saying that he would made their chats public. After that, the woman gave him lakhs of rupees in multiple payments, she alleged.

The accused has been identified as Piyush Katyaal. He has more than 5 lakh followers YouTube. Following this, the woman approached the North Region Cyber police station with a complaint of cheating last week, the official said.

The woman told the police she came into contact with Katyaal five months ago after she liked one of his prank videos, and posted a comment about it. She also started following his account.

Later, duo exchanged phone numbers and began interacting with each other. According to the woman, Katyaal sought money from her, citing a medical emergency a few days ago.

At first, she denied it. But Katyaal blackmailed her and threatened to make her messages and chats public on social media. Panicked by this, the woman paid him around Rs 19 lakh over some time.

Later, the woman approached the cyber police and shared the whole incident. The police registered a case against Katyaal, and sent a team from the North Region Cyber police station to arrest the accused in Delhi on June 12, said the official.

He added that a further probe is underway.