Celebrity Donation Appeal Deepfakes — How to Identify & Stay Safe

INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team · Updated May 29, 2026

Severity: HIGH | View Full Scam Details

Celebrity Donation Appeal Deepfake Scam in India 2026: Beware of Fake UPI Requests on WhatsApp

A new wave of sophisticated scams is sweeping India in 2026, where fraudsters use deepfake videos of popular celebrities to trick people into sending money for fake donation appeals via UPI on WhatsApp.

What Is the Celebrity Donation Appeal Deepfakes?

This scam involves fake videos of Indian film stars, cricketers, or other well-known personalities appearing to appeal for donations towards humanitarian causes—often timed to resonate with national sentiments, such as Independence Day or natural disasters. These videos, created using deepfake technology, are increasingly realistic and emotionally charged, making them highly convincing to unsuspecting fans.

The fraudsters then leverage WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook to circulate these deepfake clips rapidly. They target common users who trust these celebrities and may feel compelled to help, especially in times of crisis. According to complaints reported to cybercrime cells and CERT-In, these scams have been detected in several states, with victims spanning multiple age groups and socio-economic backgrounds.

Due to the growing incidence, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) and the Indian government's cybercrime wing I4C have issued warnings about such fraudulent appeals. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) also reminds users to exercise caution with UPI transactions that come from unknown or unexpected sources.

How This Scam Works — Step by Step

1. Deepfake Video Release: The scam begins when victims receive a WhatsApp video message with a convincing deepfake of a celebrity asking for urgent donations to a humanitarian cause or disaster relief fund.

2. Emotional Appeal and Urgency: The video usually delivers a heartfelt emotional plea, urging viewers to contribute quickly, often highlighting the urgency or patriotic duty.

3. UPI Payment Link or QR Code: The message following the video contains a UPI link or QR code supposedly connected to the celebrity’s donation account.

4. User Initiates Payment: Trusting the appeal, the victim scans the QR code or clicks the link, which directs them to a fake payment portal mimicking trusted UPI apps.

5. Data Theft or Direct Fund Transfer: The victim enters their UPI PIN or other sensitive information. This credentials entry allows scammers either to initiate unauthorized UPI transactions or harvest data for further identity misuse.

6. Loss Becomes Apparent: After the payment, victims might notice unauthorized money withdrawal from their bank accounts, often through UPI or instant fund transfers that are difficult to reverse.

7. Continued Contact Attempts: In some cases, the scammers follow up claiming the donation was incomplete or ask for additional payments, extending the financial damage.

Real Warning Signs to Watch For

• Videos that look unusually glossy or have subtle unnatural facial movements (signs of deepfakes).
• Messages urging immediate donations combined with emotional appeals from celebrities.
• Links or QR codes sent out of the blue without official confirmation from the celebrity or their verified social accounts.
• Requests for UPI PINs, OTPs, or other sensitive banking credentials.
• Payment pages that do not open within official banking apps but via suspicious links.
• Poor grammar or spelling mistakes in the accompanying message text.
• Urgent calls for multiple payments or repeated requests after you send money.

What Happens to Victims

Victims suffer both financial and emotional losses. Indian users who send money via UPI or other digital wallets often face irreversible fund transfer issues because once the money leaves their bank account, RBI regulations limit reversals unless the beneficiary consents. Additionally, fraudsters sometimes exploit Aadhaar-linked mobile SIM swaps to receive OTPs needed for UPI transactions, increasing the risk of unauthorized transactions on linked accounts.

Beyond the monetary loss, victims experience anxiety and a sense of betrayal — having trusted their favorite stars and fallen prey to fake appeals. Some have reported instances of harassment as scammers pressure for more payments.

What RBI and CERT-In Say

The Reserve Bank of India regularly warns users against sharing UPI PINs or OTPs and discourages sending money to unknown sources. RBI’s framework mandates strong two-factor authentication for digital payments but also advises vigilance against social engineering tactics like deepfake appeals.

CERT-In has issued advisories on deepfake technology misuse and recommends verifying any donation appeals through official channels. The Indian government’s Integrated Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) encourages victims to immediately contact the 1930 cybercrime helpline or local police cyber cells for assistance.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Verify Celebrity Appeals: Always check for donation appeal announcements on official celebrity accounts or reputed NGO websites before acting.
2. Never Share UPI PIN or OTP: Legitimate institutions or celebrities will never ask for your PIN or OTP; keep them confidential.
3. Use Only Verified Payment Apps: Always make payments through trusted and verified apps or official UPI interfaces, not via links received on WhatsApp.
4. Don’t Rush: Avoid responding to urgent calls for donations without proper verification.
5. Report Suspicious Messages: Forward fake videos or messages to WhatsApp’s fraud reporting system and report the sender.
6. Enable App Locks & Notifications: Use app lock and transaction alerts to monitor and control unauthorized transfers.
7. Keep Your Phone Secure: Regularly update your device and apps to protect against spyware that could compromise UPI credentials.

What to Do If You’ve Been Targeted

• Immediately block the sender on WhatsApp and do not respond further.
• Contact your bank to block your UPI payments and freeze transactions if possible.
• File a complaint at the official cybercrime portal at cybercrime.gov.in detailing the scam.
• Call the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 for guidance and to report the scam.
• Lodge a FIR with your local police cybercrime cell with all relevant screenshots and transaction details.
• Change your UPI PIN and, if you suspect SIM swap fraud, contact your mobile operator urgently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I be sure if a donation appeal from a celebrity is fake?
A: Check the celebrity’s verified social media accounts or official website for announcements. Avoid donation appeals that come unsolicited via WhatsApp or forwarded messages. Also, verify the UPI ID or link through recognized NGO portals.

Q: Is it safe to click on QR codes sent via WhatsApp for donations?
A: It’s safer to scan QR codes only from official sources or in person. QR codes forwarded in messages may redirect you to fraudulent payment pages designed to steal your banking credentials.

Q: Can I get my money back if I transferred funds in this scam?
A: UPI payments are generally instant and irrevocable. You should report the transaction immediately to your bank and file a police complaint, but there is no guarantee of recovery. Timely reporting increases your chances of action.

Stay alert and protect your hard-earned money. If you receive suspicious donation appeals, verify before you donate. Visit BharatSecure.app for the latest scam alerts and report suspicious messages to the 1930 cybercrime helpline.

Disclaimer: This article describes a pattern of fraud reported in public sources for public-safety awareness. It is not legal, financial, or medical advice. To request correction or removal of any content, write to hello@bharatsecure.app.