Deepfake of Nirmala Sitharaman Used in ₹7.9 Lakh Online Investment Scam - Deccan Chronicle
A deepfake video of Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was used in an online investment scam, highlighting the increasing sophistication of cyber fraud.
- Incident date
- May 2026
- Target
- Nirmala Sitharaman
A senior citizen was defrauded of ₹7.9 lakh in an online investment scam involving a deepfake video of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The incident underscores the growing misuse of deepfake technology to exploit public trust in financial scams.
What happened
The victim was lured by a manipulated video falsely featuring Sitharaman. Persuaded by promises of lucrative returns, the victim made repeated payments under the pretext of withdrawal charges. Law enforcement agencies have cautioned citizens to remain vigilant and to verify investment platforms, especially those promising “too good to be true” schemes. The incident highlights the need for increased digital literacy and skepticism towards unverified online content.