A Bengaluru man recently lost ₹7.66 lakh to cybercriminals running an Indian leaders deepfake investment scam. In this scheme, scammers use AI-generated (deepfake) videos of well-known Indian political and business leaders to promote fraudulent investment platforms, luring unsuspecting victims into transferring money.

How the Scam Worked

The victim encountered a social media video that appeared to show a prominent Indian public figure endorsing a trading platform. Drawn in by the apparent authority and credibility, he joined a private investment group online and followed instructions to transfer an initial ₹22,000, later escalating his deposits after seeing fabricated profits. Eventually, when attempts to withdraw his money failed, the Bengaluru man realized he'd been scammed. The police are investigating the case and tracing beneficiary accounts.

Why Deepfake Scams Are Effective

Deepfake technology enables scammers to create realistic videos featuring public figures. These videos exploit trust and can be especially persuasive when publicized across popular social media and messaging platforms. Criminals often move victims into private groups to push for further investment and create urgency. By the time a victim realizes the truth, the funds have typically been dispersed across multiple fraudulent accounts, making recovery difficult.

How to Stay Safe

  • Never trust investment advice based solely on viral videos or social media posts, no matter who appears in them.
  • Verify endorsements by checking official websites or public statements from the public figure or organization.
  • Be skeptical of urgent invitations to private messaging groups promising easy or guaranteed returns.
  • Look for flaws in videos, such as unnatural blinking, blurred lips, or mismatched audio—the telltale signs of deepfakes.
  • Report suspected scams to local authorities and the affected social media platform immediately.

Recent Trends

This is one of several cases in India involving deepfake-driven investment scams in 2026, with scammers targeting citizens using faces and voices of trusted personalities. Global reports, including F-Secure and news agencies, warn that such attacks are growing both in frequency and sophistication.

What To Do If You Are a Victim

If you suspect you've fallen for a deepfake scam:

  • Contact your bank immediately—request account holds or reversals wherever possible.
  • File a report with your local cybercrime police or use India's National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
  • Preserve all communication, videos, screenshots, and payment records for investigators.