Deepfake Scams (General) — How to Identify & Stay Safe

INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team · Updated May 28, 2026

Severity: CRITICAL | View Full Scam Details

Deepfake Scams in India 2026: What You Must Know to Stay Safe

Deepfake scams are emerging as one of the most critical cyber threats in India today, using AI-generated fake videos and voice recordings to trick people into losing money.

What Is the Deepfake Scams (General)?

Deepfake scams use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to create highly realistic but fake videos or voice audios of trusted people. In India, fraudsters employ these deepfakes to impersonate family members, friends, or even senior officials at companies. Imagine receiving a WhatsApp video where your “manager” urgently instructs you to transfer money or a voice call mimicking your “relative” asking for emergency funds. These scenarios are designed to make the victim believe the request is genuine, increasing the chances they will comply quickly without verification.

This scam targets anyone who uses mobile communication tools, such as WhatsApp, mobile banking apps, or UPI payment platforms, which are extremely popular in India. The technology behind deepfake scams allows impersonators to exploit the trust within personal and professional relationships, resulting in financial losses. According to reports received by CERT-In and complaints lodged at various cybercrime cells, cases of alleged deepfake scams have risen sharply in urban and semi-urban areas since 2024 and are expected to increase further in 2026 as AI techniques become more accessible.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) have issued advisories warning users about the dangers of such scams, highlighting the need for cautious behavior during digital transactions involving urgent money requests received via calls or messages.

How This Scam Works — Step by Step

1. Information Gathering: Scammers first collect basic personal details about the victim from social media profiles, WhatsApp groups, or data leaks. This information helps them craft a believable impersonation.

2. Creating the Deepfake Media: Using AI tools, the fraudster generates a realistic deepfake video or voice clip, mimicking a trusted person. For instance, a deepfake voice call may sound exactly like the victim's boss asking for an urgent fund transfer.

3. Initial Contact: The scammer sends the deepfake video or places a call on WhatsApp or phone, presenting an urgent situation—such as a business emergency or a family medical crisis—that requires immediate financial help.

4. Request for Money Transfer: The victim, convinced by the authenticity of the message, is asked to transfer funds using UPI, mobile wallets, or net banking. The scammer often provides a UPI ID or bank account details masked to seem genuine.

5. Pressure Tactics: To avoid suspicion and delay verification, they push for quick action by warning about serious consequences if the transfer is delayed.

6. Fund Transfer and Disappearance: Once the money is sent, the scammers cut off communication. The victim soon realises the person contacted was not genuine.

Real Warning Signs to Watch For

• Urgency in money transfer requests without prior verification.
• Messages or calls coming unexpectedly from “relatives” or “bosses.”
• Poor video or audio quality slightly off-sync or unnatural.
• Asking to use new or unusual UPI IDs or bank accounts.
• Refusal to meet in person or talk via regular verified phone numbers.
• Requests to keep the transaction secret or confidential.
• Pressure not to consult family members or colleagues before sending money.

What Happens to Victims

Victims often face severe financial loss in INR, which may not be recoverable due to the speed and sophistication of the scam. Since UPI transactions are nearly instant and usually irreversible, victims lose funds before they can act. If Aadhaar details or mobile SIMs are compromised during the scam, fraudsters may further misuse these to execute unauthorized transactions or identity theft.

The emotional impact is equally severe. Victims may feel guilt, stress, and betrayal, especially when close relationships are impersonated. Many hesitate to report such cases due to fear of embarrassment, allowing the scam to go unpunished and emboldening scammers.

What RBI and CERT-In Say

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has repeatedly cautioned users to verify urgent payment requests independently, especially when received via voice or video calls. RBI’s issued guidelines on secure digital payments emphasize double-checking fund transfer instructions and never sharing OTPs or bank credentials.

CERT-In advises users to be vigilant while interacting on platforms like WhatsApp and to report suspicious content quickly. They highlight that deepfake audio and video scams are rising and recommend not acting on urgent financial requests without thorough verification. The centralised cybercrime reporting portal, managed by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), offers a direct way to file complaints, while the 1930 cybercrime helpline is available for immediate assistance.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Always independently verify unusual financial requests by calling the person on their known phone number.
2. Avoid transferring money in a hurry—take time to confirm the authenticity.
3. Do not share OTPs, bank PINs, or UPI PINs with anyone, no matter how trustworthy they seem.
4. Use WhatsApp’s two-step verification and keep apps updated to benefit from the latest security features.
5. Watch out for subtle signs in voice tone, video glitches, or unnatural speech patterns in calls or videos.
6. Report suspicious calls or videos to the platform (WhatsApp) and to CERT-In immediately.
7. Limit sharing of personal details on social media to reduce leakage of information scammers can use.

What to Do If You’ve Been Targeted

• Immediately block the suspect’s number and avoid further communication.
• Contact your bank or UPI service provider to report the unauthorized transaction; request a freeze or reversal if possible.
• File a complaint with your local cybercrime police station or on the cybercrime.gov.in portal.
• Call the 1930 national cybercrime helpline for guidance on the next steps.
• Inform family members or workplace authorities if related to impersonation within professional or personal circles.
• Change your passwords and check for any other digital accounts that may have been compromised.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can deepfake scams be detected easily?
Deepfakes are becoming very sophisticated and might not be easy to detect by casual viewing. However, signs like unnatural speech, video glitches, or urgent, unusual financial demands should raise suspicion.

Q2: Can I get back money lost in a deepfake scam through UPI reversal?
Due to the instant nature of UPI transactions, reversals are generally difficult once the money is transferred. Early reporting to your bank and cyber authorities improves chances but is not guaranteed.

Q3: How can I verify if a call or video request for money is genuine?
Always independently contact the person using a verified phone number before transferring funds. Never rely solely on unexpected WhatsApp messages, calls, or videos asking for money.

For any suspicious messages or calls, verify and report them immediately at BharatSecure.app. If you face fraud, call the 1930 cybercrime helpline without delay.

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.