A major cybercrime case in India has exposed a large network involved in hacking CCTV systems and selling private footage online. The discovery began when local media outlets found several disturbing videos on YouTube earlier this year. These clips were recorded inside a maternity hospital and showed pregnant women during medical examinations and while receiving injections in their buttocks.
Each video included a link that directed viewers to Telegram channels where longer versions of the footage were being sold. The name of the city and the maternity hospital has not been revealed to protect the privacy of the women.
The hospital director told a common news outlet that the cameras had been installed “for the safety of doctors” and to avoid false allegations. None of the women seen in the videos has filed a complaint.
Investigators soon uncovered a widespread cybercrime network that had infiltrated at least fifty thousand CCTV systems across India. Police say hackers sold videos from hospitals, schools, homes, offices, residential complexes and malls. Stolen clips were priced between eight hundred and two thousand rupees. Some Telegram operators also offered live feeds through paid subscriptions. Officers said the case shows how weak digital protection allows one breach to spread across thousands of devices.
Arrests linked to the case have been made since February in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Delhi and Uttarakhand. The accused face charges related to privacy violations, cyberterrorism, voyeurism and publishing obscene content. Police noted that no patient or hospital filed a complaint because of fear and social stigma. A police officer had to register the case to ensure it was not ignored.
Investigators found that many CCTV systems still use simple default passwords such as “Admin123,” which made them easy targets. The group used brute force tools to gain access to networks and capture live feeds from many locations. Experts advise users to change passwords and IP addresses regularly, conduct routine system audits and strengthen security for both home and office networks.
The widespread use of CCTV in India has increased concerns about surveillance and privacy. Weak security leaves systems open to hacking, exposing sensitive footage and placing women at greater risk. The case highlights the urgent need for stronger safeguards to prevent similar breaches.
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