In the contemporary digital landscape, characterized by rapid technological advancements, it is increasingly challenging to navigate both the innovations and the associated risks. A particularly concerning development is the surge in cyber fraud, especially involving deepfake videos—altered media that can convincingly mimic real individuals. Recently, Bengaluru has emerged as a focal point for such fraudulent activities, with two residents collectively losing Rs 95 lakh after being deceived by counterfeit videos featuring prominent Indian entrepreneurs Narayana Murthy and Mukesh Ambani.
The incidents, reported to the Cyber Economic and Narcotics (CEN) South police station, illustrate how deepfake technology can mislead even the most vigilant individuals.
In the first incident, a woman from Banashankari encountered a video on social media advertising an investment platform. The video showcased Narayana Murthy, lending it an appearance of legitimacy. Enticed by the promise of substantial returns, she clicked on a dubious link and entered her contact details on a fraudulent website. Subsequently, an unidentified individual impersonated an agent, persuading her to invest funds. Initially, she invested Rs 1.4 lakh and received a minor return of Rs 8,000, which encouraged her to invest an additional Rs 6.7 lakh. Ultimately, she lost all her investments and later became a victim of another scam, resulting in a loss of Rs 67 lakh.
In a separate case, a retired employee viewed a deepfake video featuring Mukesh Ambani and, believing it to be genuine, clicked on a link that led him to transfer Rs 19 lakh to fraudulent bank accounts. After the transaction, he received no further communication from the scammers, realizing too late that he had been deceived.
The perpetrators utilized sophisticated methods to produce videos that seemed authentic. They incorporated dubious links directing individuals to fraudulent investment sites and made initial disbursements to foster trust, thereby persuading victims to invest even greater sums.
These occurrences underscore the urgent necessity for vigilance in today’s digital landscape. It is imperative to authenticate information prior to interacting with online material, refrain from clicking on questionable links, and recognize the indicators of deepfake technology. By remaining informed and cautious, we can safeguard ourselves against falling prey to cyber fraud.
