Deepfake Profile Social Engineering
डीपफेक प्रोफाइल घोटाला
INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team ·
Category: Other, Global
Verdict Summary
Deepfake Profile Social Engineering 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: Deepfake Profile Social Engineering
Proprietary signals from BharatSecure's scam-tracking database.
| Last reported | Apr 13, 2026 |
| First documented | Apr 13, 2026 |
How Deepfake Profile Social Engineering Works
- Creation of AI-generated deepfake profiles on social media or Telegram
- Engaging victims in conversation to build trust (Romance/Investment)
- Using video calls with deepfake technology to prove 'identity'
How This Scam Works — Detailed Explanation
Deepfake Profile Social Engineering is an emerging and dangerous scam where fraudsters use artificial intelligence (AI) to create highly realistic but fake video or image profiles. In India, scammers are leveraging this technology to impersonate trusted individuals, such as friends, relatives, or even government officials. These deepfake profiles can deceive victims during WhatsApp video calls or on social media platforms, making it extremely difficult to spot the fraud immediately. The fraudsters often create perfect-looking profile pictures or videos, sometimes simulating well-known people or professionals, to gain quick trust.
Once contact is established, the scammers try to build fast emotional connections by engaging in casual talks or showing empathy during stressful times. Using WhatsApp or other messaging apps popular in India, they might initiate conversations as the “trusted” person, often using familiar language and local references. After gaining some sympathy, they request money transfers through UPI apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm. Sometimes they pressure victims by faking urgent family emergencies or investment opportunities linked to Aadhaar details or bank accounts.
The trickiest part of this scam is the use of video calls with deepfake facial movements that may seem slightly unnatural—blinking, lip syncing, or facial expressions might not match perfectly in real-time interactions. Victims often fail to notice these subtle cues until it’s too late. Once money is sent, scammers disappear, sometimes using the victim’s own Aadhaar-linked bank accounts for fraudulent withdrawals or selling personal data on the dark web. Such incidents can cause serious financial and emotional damage to the victims, with limited chances of recovering lost funds.
Indian authorities are warning people to stay alert against these new visual intelligence scams. In addition to money loss, victims risk identity theft, fraud, and long-term misuse of their personal information. As this scam evolves rapidly, being aware of these tactics and verifying identities through multiple channels is critical to staying safe in India’s digital ecosystem.
Visual Intelligence: Deepfake Profile Alert
BharatSecure's AI has identified this as a deepfake profile alert used in scams targeting Indian users.
Common Scam Narratives
- Successful investor looking for a partner
- Foreign official needing help with a transaction
Associated Scam Types
- Romance Scam
- Investment Scam
Who Does Deepfake Profile Social Engineering Target?
Single mothers, lonely individuals, and social media users
Red Flags — How to Identify Deepfake Profile Social Engineering
- Unnatural facial movements in video calls
- Profile pictures that look too perfect or AI-generated
- Requests for money after a short emotional connection
What To Do If You Encounter Deepfake Profile Social Engineering
- Verify identities by calling the person back on their known phone number before trusting video calls or requests
- Report suspicious WhatsApp profiles or messages to the platform’s help center immediately
- Avoid sending money via UPI or other channels without confirming the request through trusted means
- Contact your bank promptly if you notice any unauthorized transactions or receive unusual OTP messages
- Alert local cybercrime police or file a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in)
How to Report Deepfake Profile Social Engineering 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 is Deepfake Profile Social Engineering?
- Deepfake Profile Social Engineering is a reported other scam that BharatSecure has documented as affecting Indian users. Fraudsters use it to trick victims into sharing money, OTPs, or personal and banking details. It currently carries a risk rating of 10/10 (Critical).
- Is Deepfake Profile Social Engineering dangerous, and how common is it in India?
- Yes. This scam is rated Critical severity (10/10) because it can lead to direct financial loss or identity theft. It spreads through SMS, WhatsApp, phone calls, and fake websites, and variants are reported across India throughout the year. Treat any unexpected message or call matching this pattern as suspicious until verified.
- How can I protect myself from Deepfake Profile Social Engineering?
- Verify identities by calling the person back on their known phone number before trusting video calls or requests Report suspicious WhatsApp profiles or messages to the platform’s help center immediately Avoid sending money via UPI or other channels without confirming the request through trusted means Contact your bank promptly if you notice any unauthorized transactions or receive unusual OTP messages Never share OTPs, UPI PINs, card numbers, or passwords; verify any request independently using official numbers from the company's real website; and avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages.
- How do I report Deepfake Profile Social Engineering in India?
- Call 1930 (the National Cyber Crime Helpline) within 24 hours for the best chance of recovering funds, and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in with screenshots and transaction details. Notify your bank's fraud team to freeze transactions, and report the suspect UPI ID or phone number to BharatSecure so other users can be warned.
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