Deepfaked Defense Minister Sparks Elaborate Investment Scam
Sophisticated Scam Uses Deepfake Video Impersonating Defence Minister to Lure Investors
A highly sophisticated scam has emerged using deepfake technology to impersonate Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The Scam Involves a Highly Realistic Deepfake Video
The scam features a video that appears as an official government announcement, with visuals resembling a formal address, subtitles, and branding elements that create an impression of authenticity.
The deepfake video displays dynamic visual elements, including a current date, “Today’s Profit,” and “Monthly Income” counters that increase in real-time, creating a sense of urgency and immediacy.
- State Bank of India
- HDFC Bank
- ICICI Bank
- Axis Bank
- Bank of Baroda
- Punjab National Bank
- Infosys
The Scam Relies on a Two-Stage Funnel Approach
The scam targets users with a prompt to enter personal details such as name, mobile number, and PAN information.
Users are then asked to make an initial deposit, typically around ₹22,000, through UPI or bank transfer into mule accounts controlled by the fraudsters.
After the payment, victims are shown fabricated dashboards displaying high returns, reinforcing the illusion of success.
However, when they attempt to withdraw funds, they are asked to pay additional charges under various pretexts, such as taxes, verification fees, or compliance costs.
Victims in similar scams have lost amounts ranging from ₹50,000 to over ₹2 crore, with a noticeable rise in such complaints in recent times.
The use of deepfake technology has made these scams more convincing and harder to detect.
Cybersecurity experts warn that such scams rely heavily on “social engineering,” where criminals exploit trust, authority, and urgency to manipulate victims.
They advise users to remain cautious of any investment opportunity promising unusually high or guaranteed returns.
Citizens are strongly advised not to click on suspicious links, avoid sharing personal or financial information, and report such content immediately.
Victims should contact the cybercrime helpline (1930) and file complaints without delay to improve the chances of fund recovery.
The incident highlights the urgent need for stronger digital awareness, advanced detection tools, and coordinated action by platforms, financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies to combat the growing threat of AI-driven financial fraud.