Fake Video Scam Costs Keralam Woman Crores

A woman from Kozhikode has lost ₹49.2 lakh after falling victim to an online trading fraud involving a fake video of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The video was reportedly created using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to make the investment scheme appear genuine and trustworthy.

According to the information provided, the woman was contacted by a person claiming to represent a government agency. The fraudster allegedly convinced her to invest money in a trading scheme by promising high returns. To gain her trust, the scammers used an AI-generated video featuring the Finance Minister, making it appear as though she was supporting or promoting the investment opportunity.

Believing the offer to be genuine, the woman transferred money through several payments. She continued investing as she expected to receive good returns from the scheme. However, she later discovered that the video was fake and that she had been cheated. After realising the fraud, she approached the police and reported the loss of ₹49.2 lakh.

This incident highlights the growing use of AI technology by cybercriminals to carry out financial scams. Fraudsters are increasingly creating fake videos, voice recordings and images of well-known personalities, government officials and public figures to make false investment offers look real.

AI-generated videos can make it difficult for ordinary people to identify whether a person is genuinely promoting a product or service. Scammers use these videos to create trust and encourage victims to transfer money without properly checking the source.

Authorities are urging the public to remain cautious when receiving investment offers through social media, messaging platforms or unknown callers. People should verify investment schemes through official sources, avoid trusting promises of unusually high returns and never transfer money based only on promotional videos.

The Kozhikode case serves as a warning about the misuse of artificial intelligence in online financial fraud and the need for greater awareness while dealing with digital investment opportunities.