<p>Bengaluru: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/deepfakes">Deepfake videos</a> of billionaires Mukesh Ambani, Narayana Murthy, and Sudha Murty were used in a sophisticated stock investment scam that cost a Bengaluru-based chartered accountant Rs 23.20 lakh.</p>.<p>The West Cyber, Economic, and Narcotics (CEN) Crime Police registered the case on January 13 after the victim, identified as B Hari (name changed), filed a complaint.</p>.<p>Hari, a resident of Nagarabhavi, fell prey to the scam after encountering the manipulated videos on Facebook on October 2, 2024. The videos featured the personalities promoting stock investments, but were later revealed to be deepfakes — AI-generated videos designed to look convincingly real.</p>.Deepfake Dilemma | Why India needs harsher laws to protect democracy.<p>In the video accessed by <em>DH</em>, Ambani is heard saying: “We have a professional analysis team to assist you as well as investors who make a lot of money to share their experiences. Most importantly, we don’t charge any fees.”</p>.<p>Intrigued, Hari clicked on a link in the video description that led to an online form requesting his personal details. Shortly after filling out the form, he received a website link via email that purportedly provided information about stock investments.</p>.<p>On October 31, a woman named Sakshi Jaiswal contacted Hari through a WhatsApp call from a UK-based number (+44). Claiming to be a financial advisor, Sakshi convinced Hari to register on the website and make an initial investment. Hari transferred Rs 21,010 as his first transaction.</p>.<p>A police investigator revealed that the website’s dashboard displayed Hari’s “investment”, making him believe the scheme was legitimate. Hari made additional transfers, totalling Rs 23.20 lakh by December 16.</p>.<p>When Hari attempted to withdraw his funds, the website either denied his requests or demanded additional payments under the guise of taxes and other charges.</p>.<p>Realising he had been duped; Hari approached the police. “The investigation is ongoing. We are tracing the money trail and have sought details from the banks involved,” an officer said.</p>.<p><br><strong>How to spot deepfakes</strong></p>.<p>Deepfake videos may appear highly realistic, but often display telltale signs such as unnatural facial and lip movements, misalignment of facial features like the nose and mouth, audio that doesn’t match the mouth movements, and sudden and unnatural changes in the voice pitch and tone.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/deepfakes">Deepfake videos</a> of billionaires Mukesh Ambani, Narayana Murthy, and Sudha Murty were used in a sophisticated stock investment scam that cost a Bengaluru-based chartered accountant Rs 23.20 lakh.</p>.<p>The West Cyber, Economic, and Narcotics (CEN) Crime Police registered the case on January 13 after the victim, identified as B Hari (name changed), filed a complaint.</p>.<p>Hari, a resident of Nagarabhavi, fell prey to the scam after encountering the manipulated videos on Facebook on October 2, 2024. The videos featured the personalities promoting stock investments, but were later revealed to be deepfakes — AI-generated videos designed to look convincingly real.</p>.Deepfake Dilemma | Why India needs harsher laws to protect democracy.<p>In the video accessed by <em>DH</em>, Ambani is heard saying: “We have a professional analysis team to assist you as well as investors who make a lot of money to share their experiences. Most importantly, we don’t charge any fees.”</p>.<p>Intrigued, Hari clicked on a link in the video description that led to an online form requesting his personal details. Shortly after filling out the form, he received a website link via email that purportedly provided information about stock investments.</p>.<p>On October 31, a woman named Sakshi Jaiswal contacted Hari through a WhatsApp call from a UK-based number (+44). Claiming to be a financial advisor, Sakshi convinced Hari to register on the website and make an initial investment. Hari transferred Rs 21,010 as his first transaction.</p>.<p>A police investigator revealed that the website’s dashboard displayed Hari’s “investment”, making him believe the scheme was legitimate. Hari made additional transfers, totalling Rs 23.20 lakh by December 16.</p>.<p>When Hari attempted to withdraw his funds, the website either denied his requests or demanded additional payments under the guise of taxes and other charges.</p>.<p>Realising he had been duped; Hari approached the police. “The investigation is ongoing. We are tracing the money trail and have sought details from the banks involved,” an officer said.</p>.<p><br><strong>How to spot deepfakes</strong></p>.<p>Deepfake videos may appear highly realistic, but often display telltale signs such as unnatural facial and lip movements, misalignment of facial features like the nose and mouth, audio that doesn’t match the mouth movements, and sudden and unnatural changes in the voice pitch and tone.</p>