A disturbing cybercrime racket has been exposed in India, involving the hacking of tens of thousands of CCTV systems across the country. The investigation began after police discovered intimate videos stolen from a hospital maternity ward being sold online.
The breach has raised widespread concerns about surveillance practices and weak security in public and private spaces throughout India.
Scale of the Cybercrime Operation
The case came to light after media outlets discovered videos on YouTube showing pregnant women undergoing medical examinations inside an undisclosed maternity hospital. These clips directed viewers to Telegram channels where longer versions of the footage could be purchased.
Police in Gujarat state uncovered a massive nationwide operation, stating that hackers had infiltrated at least 50,000 CCTV systems. The stolen footage, marketed for prices ranging from 800 to 2,000 rupees, was taken from a variety of locations, including:
- Hospitals and schools
- Residential complexes and offices
- Malls and private homes
Some Telegram operators even offered subscription based access to live camera feeds. Officials noted that the case demonstrates how a single, weak CCTV hack can compromise thousands of devices across a network.
Vulnerabilities and Response
Investigators determined that the widespread access was largely due to prevalent security failures. Many CCTV units operated with default passwords, such as "Admin123." The hacker group used brute force tools to gain access to these vulnerable networks, enabling them to capture feeds from thousands of locations.
The police formally initiated the case after realizing that no patient or hospital had lodged an official complaint, largely due to fear of social stigma and exposure.
Arrests have since been made across five states, with suspects facing charges related to cyberterrorism, voyeurism, privacy violations, and the publication of obscene material.
To mitigate such risks, security specialists advise users to routinely audit their systems, periodically change passwords and IP addresses, and adopt stronger security measures for both home and professional networks.
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