The Bhutanese Leading the way.
Two victims, break their silence after being targeted and blackmailed through AI-generated images
A growing number of women are speaking out against a Telegram group accused of circulating digitally altered, sexually explicit images and videos of them without consent.
The controversy came to light after a TikTok user known as NIKA shared a viral video recounting how her dance videos were found circulating in a Telegram group called Locals Local.
This reporter approached her and obtained her consent to share the incident.
While scrolling through TikTok, NIKA, whose real name is Rashnika Rai, saw a message request from a man saying he had seen her video in a Telegram group. Not thinking much of it—since she was confident that she had not posted any such videos—she ignored the message.
But as more messages poured in, including one from a woman who said she had seen her clip in a porn-sharing Telegram group, Rai realized that ordinary TikTok videos of women dancing or speaking were being reposted after without consent, often accompanied by degrading comments.
The woman also informed her that many other girls’ videos were being circulated in the group. Familiar with NIKA from TikTok, she reached out to her with concern.
“I was shocked. I thought it was a mistake because I have never made such videos,” said Rashnika Rai.
After she went public with her story, several young women reached out to her describing far more disturbing experiences. Some said they were blackmailed using AI-generated nude images that appeared to depict them.
One victim told her that a simple video of hers had been shared in the Telegram group without her knowledge, leading to an argument with her husband. In a voice message, the victim said she had uploaded the video because she thought she looked pretty, but after learning that it was reposted in the group with degrading comments from men, she began to question whether it was safe to share even harmless videos on TikTok.
All of the videos were shared in the group without the victims’ consent.
This reporter also spoke with another victim of deepfake abuse who had earlier approached NIKA with concerns over the Telegram group. 19-year-old Jamyang Choden Dorji shared that she was blackmailed by a person on Facebook who tried to use AI-generated nude images of her.
“In April, I got a message from an anonymous Facebook account,” she said. “He sent me AI-generated nude pictures that looked like me and threatened to post them in the Telegram group Locals Local unless I sent real ones.”
When she refused, the man threatened to share the fake images in the group and even sent screenshots as proof. Still refusing to comply, Dorji later discovered that the images had indeed been posted. She immediately blocked the account and went to the Phuentsholing Police Station to file a complaint.
Later, she was contacted by another man on Telegram who told her that her video was circulating in the same group.
She said another victim also approached her, deeply disturbed by similar incidents. Dorji said she comforted the woman, telling her that people could tell the AI-generated images were fake and urging her to stay strong.
However, Dorji herself soon began receiving threats again, this time from a different anonymous account on Messenger, sending her the same AI-generated nude images. She suspects it was the same man using another fake profile to continue the harassment.
The threats escalated as the man claimed he would share the images with his friends, post them in Telegram groups, and upload them to X (formerly Twitter).
His demands shifted to cybersex, as he began asking for live video calls. When Dorji refused, he threatened that while he had previously deleted the images from the groups, this time he would not remove them unless his demands were met.
She said that although she had stayed strong before, this time felt different—the repeated threats and the fake images that so closely resembled her face had left her deeply shaken and mentally distressed. She has filed another complaint with the police.
The person uploaded her AI images to porn sites and even taunted her saying “look how many people have seen your pictures.”
Both victims, Rashnika Rai and Jamyang Choden Dorji, said coming forward was not easy, but remaining silent felt worse. They said they wanted to speak up not only for themselves but for every woman who has been humiliated, threatened, or broken down by such degrading acts online.
“What hurts most is the feeling of helplessness,” one said. “Even though the images are fake, the shame and fear they cause are very real.”
Both women said they wanted justice not only for themselves but also to ensure that others do not go through the same pain. They said no woman should have to think twice before expressing herself or fear being targeted for simply existing online.
“It’s humiliating, but staying silent only protects the people who hide behind fake accounts and destroy others for fun,” Rashnika said.
Jamyang added, “Even if the pictures are fake, the fear and shame are real. I want justice, not only for myself but for other women who are afraid to speak.”
There has been no official update on whether the Telegram group Locals Local or its administrators have been identified.
The rise of deepfake technology, in which artificial intelligence is used to fabricate realistic images and videos, has sparked alarm worldwide, especially as it increasingly targets women. In Bhutan, where online privacy laws are still evolving, the cases have prompted urgent calls for stronger cybercrime protections and digital literacy awareness.
Despite the trauma, Rashnika and Jamyang say they will continue to speak publicly to reclaim control. “We want to tell other women, you’re not alone,” said Rashnika. “This can happen to anyone. And the only way to fight it is to speak out.”
