What to do if I shared my Aadhaar number with a government scam?

If you've shared your Aadhaar number, immediately report it to the nearest police station and consider calling the UIDAI helpline at 1947 to safeguard your ID.

How can I identify an AI-powered deepfake video?

Look for inconsistencies in audio-visual synchronization, unnatural facial movements, and review the source of the video before trusting its content.

How to report the AI-powered deepfake scam in India?

Report the scam at 1930 or visit cybercrime.gov.in. You can also inform your bank about any financial transactions related to this scam.

What steps should I take to secure my bank account after this type of scam?

Immediately change your online banking password, enable two-factor authentication, and keep monitoring your account for unauthorized transactions.

Still developing

AI-powered deepfake government assistance scam

एआई-आधारित डीपफेक सरकारी सहायता घोटाला

INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team · Updated Sep 20, 2026

Dangerous Risk: 10/10 Severity: Critical BharatSecure Threat Intelligence

Category: Government

Evidence & AI transparency

Still developing. We are still adding sources for this report. Treat it as unconfirmed until it is checked with an official source.

This page includes AI-assisted analysis. AI assistance does not mean a person reviewed or approved this page.

Sources: 3 · Last automated validation: Not recorded

Evidence-backed facts: statements mapped to cited evidence by the automated validator. BharatSecure analysis: interpretation and safety guidance; it is not an official finding.

Automated analysis can contain errors. Confirm important information and decisions with official authorities.

Report an error or suggest a correction

Verdict Summary

AI-powered deepfake government assistance scam is a confirmed scam. Do not engage — block the sender and report to 1930 (National Cyber Crime Helpline) immediately.

Risk score: 10/10 · Severity: Critical · Verdict: Dangerous

Scam Intelligence: AI-powered deepfake government assistance scam

Proprietary signals from BharatSecure's scam-tracking database.

Last reported	Sep 19, 2026
First documented	Sep 19, 2026

How AI-powered deepfake government assistance scam Works

Create or circulate an AI-generated video impersonating a trusted public figure
Claim urgent financial assistance or benefits are available
Direct victims to contact a WhatsApp number or join a group
Collect personal, banking, or identity information and extract money

How This Scam Works — Detailed Explanation

The AI-powered deepfake government assistance scam begins with a highly sophisticated setup that leverages technology currently available to the wider public. Scammers use social media platforms, particularly WhatsApp, which is heavily used in India, to disseminate fake AI-generated videos. These videos often depict prominent public figures, such as government officials or politicians, delivering messages about urgent financial assistance programs. The videos are designed to look convincingly authentic, making it hard for an average viewer to discern that they are fake. Once these videos circulate, they typically attract a wide array of potential victims, who may be in need of financial help or who may trust the figures portrayed in the video.

Scammers exploit emotional triggers to entice victims through psychological manipulation. By offering promises of quick financial assistance, they create a sense of urgency—a common tactic in scams. They often invoke fear of missing out on government benefits, leveraging current social welfare programs to bolster their credibility. In many cases, these messages include direct calls to action, urging individuals to respond by messaging an unknown WhatsApp number. This direct interaction makes victims believe they are connecting with a legitimate source of help. Scammers might also use false testimonials or fabricated success stories to further convince targets of the legitimacy of their offers.

Once an individual engages with the scam, the process becomes increasingly alarming. Victims are typically asked to share sensitive personal information, including Aadhaar numbers, bank details, and other identifiers under pretexts of verification for fund disbursal. For example, they might be told that their Aadhaar verification is necessary to receive a promised support payment. Scammers may even request a small amount of money transferred via UPI as a 'processing fee' or to secure their alleged financial assistance. Such transactions often go to a newly created account, making it incredibly difficult for victims to track their money or report the fraud effectively. Many victims find themselves empty-handed after believing they would receive financial relief, only to discover that they have been duped.

The real-world impact of this scam is deeply concerning. Reports indicate that scams involving financial fraud can result in losses running into several crores. For instance, in 2022, Indian victims collectively lost over ₹200 crore due to similar scam types. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), online scams are on the rise, prompting multiple advisories about the associated risks. CERT-In, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, has also warned citizens about the dangers of falling prey to such sophisticated schemes. The prevalence of these scams thus poses a significant threat to public safety, financial stability, and overall trust in government programs aimed at assisting citizens.

To differentiate between this scam and legitimate communications, potential victims must be vigilant. Authentic government communications do not typically request sensitive information through unverified WhatsApp messages. Always verify the source of any financial assistance claims through official websites or helplines, such as the cybercrime helpline at 1930. Ensure you are receiving information from verified government sources and never respond to unsolicited requests for information, especially when promising financial help."

Visual Intelligence: Deepfake Profile Alert

BharatSecure's AI has identified this as a deepfake profile alert used in scams targeting Indian users.

Celebrity Impersonated: C Joseph Vijay

Common Scam Narratives

A public figure appears to offer financial assistance or benefits
Victims are told to contact a WhatsApp number for help
The scam relies on trust in a celebrity or official-looking persona

Associated Scam Types

deepfake video impersonation
WhatsApp fraud
financial assistance scam

Who Does AI-powered deepfake government assistance scam Target?

General public in India, especially people seeking government aid and less tech-savvy users

Red Flags — How to Identify AI-powered deepfake government assistance scam

Video looks authentic but is AI-generated
Requests to message an unknown WhatsApp number
Promises of financial assistance without official verification

What To Do If You Encounter AI-powered deepfake government assistance scam

Report the incident immediately by calling the cybercrime helpline at 1930 or visiting cybercrime.gov.in.
Do not engage further with the scammer or share your personal information.
Inform your bank about the situation, especially if you shared any banking details.
Monitor your bank and UPI transactions for any unauthorized activities.
Educate friends and family about this scam to prevent more victims.
Consider changing your account passwords and enabling two-factor authentication for added security.

How to Report AI-powered deepfake government assistance scam in India

Call 1930 — National Cyber Crime Helpline (24x7)
File a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in
Contact your bank immediately if money was lost
Call RBI helpline: 14440 for banking fraud

Frequently Asked Questions

What to do if I shared my Aadhaar number with a government scam?: If you've shared your Aadhaar number, immediately report it to the nearest police station and consider calling the UIDAI helpline at 1947 to safeguard your ID.
How can I identify an AI-powered deepfake video?: Look for inconsistencies in audio-visual synchronization, unnatural facial movements, and review the source of the video before trusting its content.
How to report the AI-powered deepfake scam in India?: Report the scam at 1930 or visit cybercrime.gov.in. You can also inform your bank about any financial transactions related to this scam.
What steps should I take to secure my bank account after this type of scam?: Immediately change your online banking password, enable two-factor authentication, and keep monitoring your account for unauthorized transactions.

Status: Still developing

We are still adding sources. This pattern has not yet been matched to credible published sources, so treat it as unconfirmed.

References

References support the statements attached to them, not necessarily every claim on this page. BharatSecure analysis is distinct from cited reporting.

[1] Pakistan-linked accounts spread Tamil Nadu CM Vijays ... — India Today. Publication date not established. Accessed: 2026-09-19T15:40:24.101673+00:00. Listed source — claim support not independently established
[2] Rajasthan man arrested for creating, circulating deepfake ... — Hindustan Times. Publication date not established. Accessed: 2026-09-19T15:40:24.101673+00:00. Listed source — claim support not independently established
[3] CM Vijay's deepfake videos used for fraud, man held from Rajasthan — The New Indian Express. Publication date not established. Accessed: 2026-09-19T15:40:24.101673+00:00. Listed source — claim support not independently established

Related Scams in India

Verify Any Suspicious Message

Check any suspicious message, link, or call at bharatsecure.app. BharatSecure uses AI to detect scams in real-time and protect Indian users.