Deepfake Video Call Impersonation on NRI Real Estate Deals — How to Identify & Stay Safe

INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team · Updated Jul 18, 2026

Severity: Critical | View Full Scam Details

Deepfake Video Call Impersonation Scam Targeting NRI Real Estate Deals in India 2026

A rising cybercrime threat in 2026 uses deepfake video calls to trick Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) involved in property transactions in India, causing significant financial losses and stress.

What Is the Deepfake Video Call Impersonation on NRI Real Estate Deals?

Deepfake video call impersonation is an advanced fraud technique where scammers create highly realistic fake video calls that mimic trusted individuals such as family members or real estate agents. This scam specifically targets NRIs engaged in buying or selling property in India — a group vulnerable due to their distance from the site and reliance on digital communication.

In India, WhatsApp remains the most popular platform for staying connected across borders, and fraudsters exploit this by initiating video calls that appear genuine. They collect personal data from public sources or social media, then use AI-driven deepfake technology to simulate the voice and face of the impersonated person, making it difficult for victims to detect the deceit.

While this scam appears to be growing, especially in metropolitan hubs like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad where real estate deals attract significant NRI investment, official advisories from CERT-In and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) have cautioned NRIs about digitally sophisticated impersonation attempts. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) also warns against sharing one-time passwords (OTPs) or banking credentials during property dealings to prevent phishing losses.

How This Scam Works — Step by Step

1. Initial Research: Scammers gather detailed personal information on their target NRI from social media profiles, public directories, or prior data breaches. They identify key trusted contacts such as family members or known real estate agents.

2. First Contact via WhatsApp: Victims receive a WhatsApp message or call from a familiar-looking number. Scammers may impersonate property agents using a cloned WhatsApp account or a number with a similar pattern (e.g., 98XXXXXX12).

3. Deepfake Video Call: The victim is then invited to a video call where the scammer uses deepfake technology to mimic the face and voice of the trusted contact, often addressing urgent property sale or transfer details.

4. Creating Urgency: The fraudster pressures the victim to act quickly—for example, deciding on a payment to secure a deal or transfer property ownership immediately.

5. Phishing for OTPs: Under the guise of verifying the transaction or making a payment, the scammer asks the victim to share a UPI OTP or banking password.

6. Financial Theft: Using the OTP or credentials, the scammer initiates unauthorized transactions, often draining bank accounts or diverting UPI payments linked to INR crores in property value.

Real Warning Signs to Watch For

• Unusual video quality or slight face distortions during WhatsApp video calls that feel “off” despite high realism.
• Urgent demands for OTPs or bank details during a video call, especially when unsolicited.
• New or slightly altered WhatsApp numbers claiming to be your agent or family member.
• Pressure to complete transactions within hours or minutes without standard paperwork or verification processes.
• Requests for payment to unfamiliar UPI IDs or bank accounts not linked to your known contacts.
• Mismatch between the voice you recognize and the call audio, or sudden changes in tone or vocabulary.
• Unexpected changes in transaction process like skipping official property document verification steps.

What Happens to Victims

Victims often suffer substantial financial loss, with some losing lakhs or crores INR due to unauthorized bank transfers through UPI apps compromised by shared OTPs. Because UPI payments are usually instant and irreversible, victims rarely recover their money.

Besides monetary damage, victims face emotional trauma — distrust within families when scammers impersonate close relatives, and the stress of legal and recovery processes. Some may also deal with additional risks like Aadhaar misuse or SIM swap attacks, which can lead to further identity theft or account takeover following these frauds.

What RBI and CERT-In Say

The RBI consistently advises against sharing OTPs or confidential banking information over calls, texts, or WhatsApp, regardless of who requests it. CERT-In and I4C have issued advisories warning NRIs and property buyers about deepfake scams and fraud attempts via WhatsApp and other messaging platforms.

In case of suspicious calls or transactions, victims are encouraged to immediately reach out to the 1930 cybercrime helpline and freeze their bank accounts by contacting their bank’s fraud helpline. RBI’s dedicated helpline for digital banking fraud is also available for guidance.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Verify identities independently: Always call the trusted contact or agent back on a known, official phone number instead of accepting the number or call presented during the video.
2. Never share OTPs or banking details over WhatsApp or any online call, even if the caller seems familiar.
3. Keep WhatsApp accounts secure: Enable two-step verification and regularly check active sessions.
4. Be suspicious of urgent transaction requests that bypass legal and procedural safeguards in property deals.
5. Use official property portals and payment gateways instead of informal UPI transfers or peer-to-peer payments.
6. Consult with your bank about blocking quick UPI payments or enabling transaction alerts for large debits.
7. Report suspicious numbers and calls to WhatsApp support and cybercrime authorities promptly.

What to Do If You've Been Targeted

• Immediately stop all financial transactions and block the suspected bank account or UPI ID after informing your bank.
• Report the fraud to the 1930 cybercrime helpline or file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in.
• Inform the local police with all details (phone numbers, chat screenshots, transaction details).
• Change passwords and enable two-factor authentication on WhatsApp, email, and banking apps.
• If you suspect SIM swap, contact your mobile operator to freeze the SIM and request a new one.
• Keep copies of all evidence and communication to support investigations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I trust video calls that show my family member’s face during real estate transactions?
A: No, scammers can use deepfake technology to impersonate faces and voices realistically. Always verify identity through a trusted phone call or in-person verification.

Q: What should I do if I accidentally share my UPI OTP during a suspicious call?
A: Immediately contact your bank to block transactions and freeze your UPI ID. Report the incident to cybercrime authorities on 1930 and file a complaint online.

Q: How can I differentiate between a real and deepfake video call on WhatsApp?
A: Look for subtle distortions in video quality, unusual voice changes, or inconsistencies in behavior. Never trust urgent financial requests on such calls without offline verification.

Check any suspicious messages or video calls for scams at BharatSecure.app and report fraud quickly by calling 1930.

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.