Mumbai: In a high-stakes espionage scandal, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has unearthed an espionage operation involving a Pakistan Intelligence Operative (PIO), who masqueraded as an Indian college student to extract sensitive naval assets information through a honey-trap operation.
Posing as a teenage college girl from Haryana, Pakistan Intelligence operative (PIO) agent Priti Jaiswal, crafted a deceptive persona to trick 27-year-old junior service engineer Ravi Verma through seductive and romantic chats. Deeply deceived by the elaborate ruse, Verma fell in love with the fabricated identity and unknowingly aided in leaking sensitive naval information.
An in-depth investigation into the leak of classified information related to Indian naval assets has revealed that the relationship began in November 2024, when Verma received a Facebook friend request from the purported Priti, claiming to be a teenage college student from Haryana. Communication soon shifted to WhatsApp, where the two exchanged frequent messages and developed a close virtual bond.
Exploiting the personal bond, "Priti Jaiswal" told Verma that as a college student, she had to complete several academic projects, for grades, and one of her assigned projects was on the topic of Indian Navy warships, their capabilities, and operations related to naval vessels. Using this as a pretext, she persuaded Verma to assist her in gathering sensitive information. Gradually, her requests became more specific seeking deployment details, movement logs, and ship defects.
“In December 2024, Verma began sharing classified naval information, thinking he was helping a student he had fallen in love with,” an officer said.
In early 2025, the PIO agent Priti Jaiswal informed Verma that his assistance had earned significant appreciation at her fictional institution, claiming that “everyone was praising her” and expressing a desire to wanted to do something for her and later transfer Rs 2000 to verma account from an untraceable ghost account. When Verma initially refused the payment, the operative insisted the money was meant for his niece.
What began as an online romance soon escalated into discussions of marriage. The PIO agent, still posing as Jaiswal, promised Verma that she would travel to Mumbai to meet him. However, before the meeting could take place, a disagreement arose between the two. During this period, Verma’s mother, Rekha Verma, discovered the nature of her son's relationship.
Concerned about her son’s well-being, the mother issued a stern warning to the girl posing as Jaiswal, urging her not to create any emotional distress or conflict. She reportedly told the agent that if the relationship was genuine, she herself would support and arrange their marriage.
At this critical point, an unidentified foreign handler referred as “Sir” emerged from the PIO network. In a surprising development, this individual communicated directly with Rekha Verma, attempting to legitimise the relationship and offering to play a leading role on behalf of the so-called bride.
Subsequently, Verma remained in regular contact with both the PIO agent operating under the alias Priti and the foreign handler known as “Sir.” Over time, Verma divulged extensive personal and professional information including details about his employment at a firm engaged in ship repair contracts for critical Indian defense installations. He also shared details about his family background, financial challenges, and his growing need for monetary assistance.
Exploiting these vulnerabilities, the foreign handler promised Verma sustained financial support in exchange for continued cooperation. Over the next few weeks, Verma began willingly passing on more restricted information, including specifics about naval infrastructure and operations. What began as an unintentional leak transformed into willful collaboration. Despite being aware of the consequences, Verma continued providing restricted material, effectively working as an asset for foreign intelligence handlers.
