Scammers using deepfake videos of PM, CMs in social media political ads to dupe people: I4C

Scammers using deepfake videos of PM, CMs in social media political ads to dupe people: I4C

NEW DELHI, Oct 19: Fraudsters are using deepfake videos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Finance Minister Nirmal Sitharaman and chief ministers in deceptive and Instagram political ads to dupe people with fake schemes and offers, the Indian Cyber...

NEW DELHI, Oct 19: Fraudsters are using deepfake videos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Finance Minister Nirmal Sitharaman and chief ministers in deceptive and Instagram political ads to dupe people with fake schemes and offers, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) warned on Monday.

Ads, mainly on Meta Platforms featuring manipulated and deepfake videos, ostensibly show the public public figures announcing and promoting a welfare scheme allegedly intended to provide financial assistance to the needy, the I4C, under the Union Ministry, said.

According to the advisory, victims are directed to phone numbers, WhatsApp chats or fraudulent websites to claim the promised benefits.

They are then coerced into making repeated payments under the pretext of taxes, processing fees, registration charges, verification fees or other administrative expenses.

The fraud results in multiple payments and substantial cumulative financial losses, the agency said.

In several cases, victims receive calls from international numbers, predominantly those beginning with Pakistan's country code, +92, it said.

Callers claim that the victims have been randomly selected to receive the promised funds, the advisory said.

In other cases, victims are redirected to websites featuring scratch-card or spin-and-win offers and are tricked into approving UPI collect requests from fraudulent merchants, it said.

Some victims are directed to payment apps and induced to enter their UPI PIN under the pretext of receiving the prize money, the warning said.

The transaction instead debits money from their accounts and transfers it to the fraudsters.

People should verify the purpose and recipient of any fee or payment requested in connection with a welfare benefit and confirm the identity of anyone claiming to represent a government department through official channels. In case of doubt, they should visit the concerned office in person.

The agency has also cautioned people against sharing Aadhaar, PAN, bank details, one-time passwords or UPI PINs with unknown persons. Videos and voice recordings featuring public officials should be treated with caution, and their claims verified through official sources.

Before approving a UPI collect request or entering a UPI PIN, users should check the transaction details carefully. A UPI PIN authorises payments; it is not required to receive money, the advisory said. (PTI)