Introduction
AI deepfake scams are rising in India. In Mangaluru, a woman lost ₹9 lakh after seeing a fake video of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Sudha Murty. The video falsely promoted an investment scheme with “guaranteed double returns” and government backing. Believing it was real, she shared her details on a fake portal and transferred her savings.
This case shows how AI-generated scams can deceive even careful people.
1. What Happened in Mangaluru?
The woman saw a video on Facebook showing Nirmala Sitharaman and Sudha Murty promoting a government-backed investment. It promised double returns to create urgency and trust.
After clicking the link, she gave her personal details. Soon, she received calls from people pretending to be company representatives. They guided her step by step, asking her to transfer money multiple times. In total, she lost ₹9.10 lakh.
When she asked to withdraw her “profits,” she was told to pay additional taxes first. That’s when she realized it was a scam.
2. How the Scam Worked
The fraud used a clear pattern:
- Fake Video Creation – Scammers manipulated videos of Nirmala Sitharaman and Sudha Murty.
- Social Media Spread – The video was shared widely on Facebook.
- Victim Engagement – Clicking the link captured personal details.
- Step-by-Step Persuasion – Scam callers built trust and instructed payments.
- Fake Profit Promises – The victim was convinced her money was growing.
- Final Trap – She was asked for fake taxes, losing more money before realizing the truth.
3. Fact-Checking and Exposure
Fact-checkers used AI detection tools on the viral video. They confirmed with 99.9% certainty that it was manipulated. The voices and appearances of Nirmala Sitharaman and Sudha Murty were fake. Experts noticed mismatched mouth movements, unnatural pauses, and background errors.
Similar scams are spreading. Other leaders like Narayana Murthy and spiritual leader Sadhguru have been impersonated. In Bengaluru, a woman recently lost over ₹3.7 crore to a deepfake scam.
4. The Growing Threat in India
Deepfake scams are becoming widespread. Hundreds of crores have been lost in 2024–25 alone. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) and CERT-In have warned citizens about fake investment endorsements on social media and WhatsApp.
Google removed over 247 million misleading ads in 2024. Still, scammers use new accounts and fake websites to trick people. They rely on the public trusting familiar leaders and institutions.
5. How to Protect Yourself
Here are steps everyone can take:
- Verify Offers – Check official government or company websites.
- Spot Red Flags – Be cautious of guaranteed returns, urgent deadlines, or celebrity endorsements online.
- Check Video Quality – Look for unusual speech, unnatural expressions, or inconsistent backgrounds.
- Use Detection Tools – Free AI tools can analyze suspicious videos.
- Report Scams – Contact local police or cybercrime.gov.in and your bank immediately.
- Educate Others – Share tips with friends and family, especially older adults.
Conclusion
The Mangaluru case shows how dangerous AI deepfake scams are in India. Scammers are using fake videos of trusted leaders to steal money. Staying alert, verifying information, and reporting fraud quickly are key to protecting yourself. Awareness can help you and your community stay safe.
