Bengaluru: A disturbing cyber fraud case from Belagavi highlights the growing misuse of deepfake technology in financial scams. A senior citizen was cheated of ₹7.9 lakh after being lured by a manipulated video falsely featuring Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, underscoring how convincingly criminals can exploit public trust.
The incident reflects a dangerous shift in online fraud, where scammers no longer rely solely on text messages or fake calls but deploy highly realistic videos to appear credible. The victim, persuaded by promises of lucrative returns, fell into a trap that involved repeated payments under the pretext of withdrawal charges.
Law enforcement agencies have repeatedly cautioned citizens to remain vigilant. This case reinforces the need for digital literacy, skepticism towards “too good to be true” schemes, and strict verification of investment platforms. Consulting authorised financial advisors and relying on official government sources can help prevent such losses.
As deepfake technology becomes more accessible, the responsibility to question and verify online content becomes critical. Public awareness, combined with stronger cyber policing, is essential to curb the rising tide of such sophisticated scams.
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