Deepfake Deception: Senior Citizen Falls Victim to AI Investment Scam

A 76-year-old man in Belagavi was defrauded of Rs 7.9 lakh via an AI-generated deepfake video that misused the name of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The scam involved a fake investment scheme, prompting the police to caution against online offers and deepfake technology's deceptive potential.

A senior citizen in Belagavi city has fallen prey to an unscrupulous online investment scam, authorities revealed this week. The victim was lured by an AI-generated deepfake video falsely featuring Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The man, Prakash Gubbi, was enticed after watching a YouTube video in November, wherein the Minister appeared to promote an investment plan. The video description provided a link that led him to invest an initial amount, which promised significant profits of USD 65,000.

After attempting to withdraw these profits, he was asked to pay substantial amounts under the pretense of 'customs duty.' Realizing the scam, Mr. Gubbi reported the matter, now under investigation, cautioning the public to be vigilant against such high-tech deceptions.