What to do if I shared my OTP in a UPI scam?

Immediately contact your bank via official helplines, such as SBI at 1800-11-1109 or HDFC at 1800-202-6161, to secure your account. Also, report the incident to 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.

How can I identify deepfake video scams?

Look for signs like unverified channels promoting celebrity endorsements, sudden calls for urgent investment, and a lack of presence on official celebrity pages.

How to report this type of scam in India?

You can report such scams by calling 1930 or visiting cybercrime.gov.in. Additionally, inform your bank about any fraudulent transactions.

Can I recover money after being scammed?

Recovery can be complicated, but immediately notify your bank and file a report at 1930. Also, keep a close watch on your accounts for any irregularities.

Deepfake Video Celebrity Crypto Endorsements

INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team · Updated May 12, 2026

Verdict: Suspicious | Risk Score: 8/10 | Severity: High

Category: UPI, WhatsApp, Loan App

Scam Intelligence: Deepfake Video Celebrity Crypto Endorsements

Proprietary signals from BharatSecure's scam-tracking database.

Top affected regions	Cambodia, urban, rural, general
Last reported	May 12, 2026

How Deepfake Video Celebrity Crypto Endorsements Works

Overview Fraudsters use AI-generated deepfake videos and audio to impersonate Bollywood or cricket celebrities, convincing people to join fake crypto investment schemes. These promotional deepfakes circulate on WhatsApp groups, Telegram, and even YouTube, showing ‘celebrities’ endorsing platforms with promises of high returns. Indian audiences, familiar with these figures, are more likely to trust the message, leading to quick, large transfers to fraudulent wallets or apps. How It Works 1. Victims see viral videos or receive private messages featuring celebrities inviting them to invest in a ‘special scheme’ or ‘direct opportunity’. 2. The message includes a link to a fake trading app or website, sometimes with personalized WhatsApp/Telegram chats for onboarding. 3. Fake dashboards display huge profits; withdrawals are blocked without paying ‘fees’ or ‘taxes.’ 4. Scammers vanish once enough funds are received. India Angle This pattern thrives in all regions, as cricket stars and Bollywood actors are widely recognized across India. Videos are localized in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali. Fraudsters often ride viral festival forwards or news. Real Examples - Clip of a famous actor saying, “Only 500 lucky Indians will join my private investment group.” - WhatsApp sender: “Virat Kohli is investing here—secure your place now. Link expires in 2 hours!” Red Flags - Celebrity ‘announcements’ about private investment offers. - Urgent call-to-action messages with made-up deadlines. - Links to apps or sites not present on official app stores or SEBI-approved lists. - Demands for immediate UPI or crypto wallet deposits. Protective Measures - Check celebrities’ real profiles for scam warnings or press releases. - Never invest based solely on celebrity claims in messages or videos. - Verify apps via the Google Play Store/Apple App Store, not forwarded links. - Seek advice from regulated advisors before considering new investments. If Victimised - Report to 1930 and file a cyber complaint online. - Capture video, app screenshots, and payment records for police. - Quickly inform your bank and try to halt transfers. Related Scams - Deepfake loan app scams - WhatsApp “Amazon offer” video frauds

How This Scam Works — Detailed Explanation

Scammers are increasingly utilizing advanced technology to create deepfake videos of popular celebrities, particularly from Bollywood and Indian cricket, to lure unsuspecting victims into scams. They typically initiate this operation through channels like WhatsApp groups, Telegram, and even YouTube. For example, a video featuring a well-known actor or cricketer endorsing a non-existent cryptocurrency platform can circulate rapidly among users, especially in circles that trust these celebrities. The availability of these platforms makes it easy for fraudsters to reach a wide audience, capitalizing on the vulnerability of individuals who may wish to emulate their idols' success or simply seek out investment opportunities during trying economic times.

Psychological tricks play a crucial role in how these scams operate. Victims are often presented with a hastily created yet convincing narrative featuring celebrities they admire. The deepfake typically includes promises of immense returns on investments, creating a sense of urgency by suggesting limited availability or exclusive offers. By threading in familiarity—such as the celebrity's voice or mannerisms—scammers deepen the emotional impact of their lure, steering potential victims into a state of trust before they even realize what's happening. This manipulation makes it increasingly challenging for recipients to question the authenticity of the content. As a result, many individuals find themselves compelled to act impulsively, rather than cautiously evaluating the situation.

Once a victim is convinced, the steps that follow can lead to devastating financial losses. Typically, a victim will receive a message urging immediate action—such as providing personal details, transferring money through UPI, or even downloading unreliable apps to access inflated crypto returns. For example, an individual might be prompted to make a UPI transfer to a fraudulent wallet after seeing a deepfake video of a beloved cricketer. The funds are then swiftly withdrawn, leaving no trace back to the scammers. Reports suggest that many victims fall prey to this type of manipulation, with UPI being a common method for fraudulent transactions, suggesting numbers could reach into crores in losses across the nation.

The broader impact of such scams in India has been alarming. The Ministry of Home Affairs has reported significant rises in cybercrime incidents, with countless individuals losing their life savings, sometimes amounting to over ₹100 crore collectively in a single year from crypto-related scams. According to CERT-In advisories, deepfake technology is becoming an increasingly utilized tool for cybercriminals, warranting urgent awareness to mitigate this threat. In response to these alarming statistics, regulatory bodies like the RBI are amplifying their guidelines on secure digital transactions, continuously stressing on the importance of vigilance. It’s essential now, more than ever, that citizens remain proactive and well-informed regarding the dangers posed by these advanced technologies and scams.

Spotting a deepfake celebrity endorsement scam can be crucial in preventing substantial losses. Always verify endorsements against official celebrity accounts on social media; if there's no mention of the offer on a celebrity's verified page, it's likely a scam. Additionally, be cautious of messages that promote apps or websites that aren’t publicly listed or lack detailed company information. Finally, any urging for immediate monetary transactions, especially via UPI or unfamiliar cryptocurrency methods, warrants skepticism. Remember, genuine investments seldom carry such urgency and are usually well-documented by credible sources and institutions.

Visual Intelligence:

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

Who Does Deepfake Video Celebrity Crypto Endorsements Target?

General public across India

Red Flags — How to Identify Deepfake Video Celebrity Crypto Endorsements

Celebrity endorsements in viral videos or messages
Unlisted apps or websites with urgent offers
UPI or crypto deposit requests based on videos
No verification on official celebrity/social media pages

What To Do If You Encounter Deepfake Video Celebrity Crypto Endorsements

Report the scam immediately at 1930 or visit cybercrime.gov.in to lodge a formal complaint.
Do not share any personal information like OTPs or bank details with the sender.
Contact your bank's helpline, such as SBI at 1800-11-1109 or HDFC at 1800-202-6161, to freeze or monitor your accounts.
Inform friends and family to alert them about the scam to prevent them from falling prey.
Uninstall any unverified apps installed as a result of the scam or dubious links.
Keep monitoring your financial statements and report any unauthorized transactions right away.

How to Report Deepfake Video Celebrity Crypto Endorsements 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 OTP in a UPI scam?: Immediately contact your bank via official helplines, such as SBI at 1800-11-1109 or HDFC at 1800-202-6161, to secure your account. Also, report the incident to 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.
How can I identify deepfake video scams?: Look for signs like unverified channels promoting celebrity endorsements, sudden calls for urgent investment, and a lack of presence on official celebrity pages.
How to report this type of scam in India?: You can report such scams by calling 1930 or visiting cybercrime.gov.in. Additionally, inform your bank about any fraudulent transactions.
Can I recover money after being scammed?: Recovery can be complicated, but immediately notify your bank and file a report at 1930. Also, keep a close watch on your accounts for any irregularities.

Related Scams in India

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