AI deepfakes of PM, CMs being used to sell fake schemes, govt warns

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs' Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has issued an advisory warning people about cyber fraud carried out through fake government scheme advertisements on social media. Scammers are allegedly using the names and photographs of the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister and chief ministers of various states to lure people with promises of financial assistance under government schemes.The advisory was issued on October 19 by the National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit (NCTAU) of the I4C, which operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs.According to the advisory, fraudsters are using platforms such as Facebook and Instagram to circulate fake advertisements claiming to offer financial assistance through government schemes. They are also creating fake and deepfake videos of political leaders to make their claims appear credible and deceive people into parting with their money.HOW FRAUDSTERS ARE TARGETING PEOPLEScammers are asking people to pay registration fees, processing fees, taxes and verification charges in the name of securing benefits under government schemes. These demands are being used to make victims believe that they must pay an amount upfront to receive the promised financial assistance. Fraudsters are also targeting people through fake cashback offers, scratch cards and spin-and-win promotions. These offers are being used to lure people into fraudulent transactions.The advisory also mentions cases in which victims reportedly received phone calls and WhatsApp messages from numbers with Pakistan's +92 country code.HOW UPI FRAUDS ARE CARRIED OUT The advisory warns that scammers are using Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions to withdraw money from victims' bank accounts.In some cases, fraudsters persuade victims to approve UPI collect requests or enter their UPI PINs, resulting in money being transferred out of their accounts. Such requests and prompts can be presented as part of a supposed reward, payment or government benefit.HOW TO STAY SAFE FROM CYBER FRAUDThe I4C has advised people to verify information about government schemes only through the official websites of the departments concerned. People should not rely on advertisements, videos or messages on social media without checking their authenticity.People have also been advised not to share one-time passwords (OTPs), bank details or UPI PINs with strangers. They should remain cautious about requests for advance payments made in the name of registration, processing, taxes or verification for government benefits.Anyone who falls victim to cyber fraud should immediately call the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 or register a complaint on the official portal, www.cybercrime.gov.in.- Ends