A deepfake video using the likeness of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has surfaced on social media, falsely promising returns of Rs 80,000 per day and up to Rs 15 lakh per month with an investment of just Rs 22,000. The video employs artificial intelligence to make it appear as though Singh is endorsing the scheme, complete with the Indian flag and national emblem for added legitimacy.
Athenian Tech, a threat detection platform, exposed the video as a fraud, highlighting its misleading features, including unauthorized logos from major banks such as PNB, HDFC, and SBI, which were used to create a false sense of credibility. In the nearly two-minute clip, the scammers claim the investment is "approved" by the Government of India and backed by influential banks, stating that funds are secure and promising compensation of Rs 10 lakh if the expected returns are not met.
The video creates a sense of urgency by claiming that registration is open only until the end of the day, with a link directing viewers to a fraudulent landing page mimicking the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) website. The Press Information Bureau's fact-checking unit has confirmed that the video is fake and AI-generated, warning the public that neither the Defence Minister nor the Government of India has endorsed any such investment scheme.
FaceOff Fact Check advised caution, emphasizing that fraudsters often exploit false endorsements to lure individuals into scams. They urged the public to verify investment claims through official channels before taking action.
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