Scammers use deepfake video of ex-IPS officer to extort Rs 74,000 from Ghaziabad man
An elderly man in UP’s Ghaziabad was duped of Rs 74,000 by scammers who used an AI-generated deepfake video of a retired IPS officer to threaten the victim.
New Delhi: Amid growing concern in the country over the misuse of AI-powered deepfake technology being used by criminal elements for nefarious purposes, scammers have extorted an elderly man in Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh and forced him to pay Rs 74,000 by using a deepfake video of a retired police officer.
According to police, the victim’s daughter has filed a complaint alleging that her 74-year-old father was duped by scammers of Rs 74,000 who used an AI-generated deepfake video and threatened to implicate him in false cases and also an objectionable video to share. from him on social media when he didn’t pay them.
Based on the complaint, Ghaziabad police have registered a case against the unidentified suspect under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology (IT) Act.
“Unknown men used AI technology to create a deepfake video with the voice and face of a retired IPS officer and called the victim on WhatsApp. The suspect, posing as the former police officer, threatened to implicate and arrest the victim in false cases and also share an objectionable video of him online if he did not pay them,” an official said, referring to the complaint filed by the victim’s police. daughter.
Fearing the consequences if he did not comply, the elderly man transferred Rs 74,000 to the bank account shared by the scammers, the official said, adding that the video has been sent for forensic examination and further investigation in the case is on the hallway is.
Of late, there have been increasing concerns about the misuse of AI-powered deepfake technology by criminals after an altered video of actor Rashmika Mandhana went viral on social media platforms.
Deepfake row over Rashmika Mandhana
On November 6, a modified video of Rashmika appeared online, sparking discussions about digital security. In the viral video, a woman resembling actress Rashmika was seen entering an elevator wearing a black swimsuit.
The video quickly went viral and several social media users came forward to confirm that it was a deep fake. It was later determined that the video belonged to British actress Zara Patel.
The actor reacted strongly to the alleged deepfake video and said, “I really feel hurt to share this and need to talk about the deepfake video of me being spread online. Something like this is, frankly, extremely frightening, not just for me, but for all of us who are vulnerable to so much harm today from the way technology is misused.”
Delhi Police has registered an FIR under relevant sections and an investigation into the case has been conducted.
Delhi Police said a technical analysis is underway to identify the suspects involved in Rashmika Mandanna’s deepfake video case.
(With input from agencies)