Warns of surge in deepfake scams impersonating the PM, ministers and CMs
The National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit has warned of a sharp rise in financial fraud. Scammers are using fake videos and social media ads to pose as the Prime Minister, Finance Minister, State Chief Ministers, and other public figures. The alert, issued on Monday, warns that people are being tricked into paying fake taxes, processing fees, and verification charges for non-existent welfare schemes or cashback offers.
As per the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, fraudsters are inundating Facebook and Instagram with ads that appear to be senior political leaders announcing special financial assistance schemes or “my financial project for Indians”.
A lot of these ads use deepfakes or heavily edited videos. The viewer is then direct viewers to call or message a number (often via WhatsApp) or visit a fraudulent website offering scratch cards and spin-and-win cashbacks. Once the victim engages, they are told they have been selected for the benefit and that they must pay various “taxes”, registration fees, processing fees, or verification charges before the money is released.
A particularly nasty variant is the UPI collect. You’ve “won” a cashback amount on a fake spin wheel or scratch card and are then prompted to approve a payment or enter your UPI PIN to claim your prize. The transaction ends up debiting your account. In many instances, the initial contact comes from an international number (predominantly +92 (Pakistan) codes).
If you get a call or message from a +92 number claiming to be from a public figure or a Government scheme, be very cautious. Do not respond or interact with it.
The unit’s analysis of the MO has three parts. First, attractive adverts feature political figures promoting bogus schemes or cashback offers (many of these are classified as political ads on Meta platforms). Secondly, the victim is directed to a WhatsApp chat or a fraudulent website. Thirdly, the fraudster demands multiple advance payments.
The final fraud occurs only after several payments have been made, either through a further demand for payment or via a UPI debit once the victim has been induced to enter their transaction PIN.
Authorities have issued several clear cautions. Verify any welfare scheme only on the official website of the relevant ministry or department, never via a social media link. Check all payment requests to ensure they are for the correct purpose and sent to the correct recipient. Verify any identity claim made by someone claiming to be from a Government office through official channels, and if in any doubt, go to the office yourself. Never share personal data (Aadhaar, PAN, bank details, OTPs, and in particular your UPI PIN). Treat videos and voice messages of Government officials as unverified until the official source confirms them.
Most importantly, a UPI PIN is used only to authorise outgoing payments and is not used to receive money. Anyone who has already shared details or made a transfer is asked to report the incident immediately on the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or at www.cybercrime.gov.in.
CLEAR CAUTIONS
· If you get a call or message from a +92 number claiming to be from a public figure or a Government scheme, be very cautious. Do not respond or interact with it
· Verify any welfare scheme only on the official website of the relevant ministry or department, never via a social media link
· Check all payment requests to ensure they are for the correct purpose and sent to the correct recipient
· Verify any identity claim made by someone claiming to be from a Government office through official channels
· Never share personal data (Aadhaar, PAN, bank details, OTPs.
· Anyone who has already shared details or made a transfer is asked to report the incident on the national cybercrime helpline 1930 or at www.cybercrime.gov.in.