Deepfake Video Scams
डीपफेक वीडियो स्कैम
INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team ·
Category: Phishing
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Verdict Summary
Deepfake Video Scams 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 Video Scams
Proprietary signals from BharatSecure's scam-tracking database.
| Last reported | Mar 30, 2026 |
| First documented | Mar 30, 2026 |
How Deepfake Video Scams Works
- Create deepfake videos of trusted officials or celebrities
- Use video calls to appear authentic
- Coerce victims into making payments or sharing sensitive data
How This Scam Works — Detailed Explanation
Deepfake Video Scams have emerged as a dangerous new threat in India’s digital landscape. Scammers use advanced AI technology to create highly realistic videos that mimic the faces and voices of trusted individuals such as family members, company bosses, or well-known personalities. These fake videos are then used during video calls on platforms like WhatsApp, Zoom, or Google Meet to trick victims into believing they are talking to someone familiar. The scammers use these deepfake videos to urgently request money transfers through UPI apps or mobile banking, claiming emergency needs or confidential business transfers.
The scam usually begins with the attacker gathering enough personal information about the target through social media, leaked data, or previous phishing attempts. They then craft a deepfake video that perfectly matches the mannerisms and voice of the person they are impersonating. When the scammer calls, the victim sees a clear, high-quality video which looks genuine, creating a strong sense of trust. The deepfake AI also enables the scammer to respond quickly, adapting their script based on the victim’s replies to maintain the illusion of authenticity.
Once the victim is convinced, the scammer pushes for immediate transfer of funds, often using UPI or mobile banking apps popular in India like Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm. The request is usually urgent and made during odd hours, with the scammer warning of risks or emergencies that supposedly require instant payment. Many victims, fearing for their loved ones or business relationships, comply without verifying. Unfortunately, once the money is sent, it’s nearly impossible to recover.
Victims often only realize they have been scammed after trying to contact the real person or when the transaction is flagged by their bank. These scams can target wealthy individuals, professionals, or any Indian citizen with access to digital payment systems. The use of deepfake technology makes detection harder, putting increased importance on awareness and verification before transferring funds or sharing sensitive information like Aadhaar numbers or OTPs during such video calls.
Who Does Deepfake Video Scams Target?
Wealthy individuals, professionals
Red Flags — How to Identify Deepfake Video Scams
- Video calls with unusually perfect video quality
- Urgent fund requests from familiar faces
- Requests during odd hours or via unofficial channels
What To Do If You Encounter Deepfake Video Scams
- Verify the caller’s identity by calling them back on a known number before transferring funds.
- Immediately report suspicious video calls or payment requests to your bank or UPI app support.
- Avoid sharing Aadhaar details or OTPs during video calls, no matter who asks for them.
- Call the police helpline 1930 or local cybercrime cell if you suspect a deepfake scam attempt.
- Block and report the scammer’s contact on platforms like WhatsApp to prevent further contact.
How to Report Deepfake Video Scams 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 Video Scams?
- Deepfake Video Scams is a reported phishing 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 Video Scams 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 Video Scams?
- Verify the caller’s identity by calling them back on a known number before transferring funds. Immediately report suspicious video calls or payment requests to your bank or UPI app support. Avoid sharing Aadhaar details or OTPs during video calls, no matter who asks for them. Call the police helpline 1930 or local cybercrime cell if you suspect a deepfake scam attempt. 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 Video Scams 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.
How This Scam Works — BharatSecure AI
Spreading fastA plain-language breakdown based on 500 real reported scams of this type.
| How they reach you | Documented primary channels are AI-generated voice/video calls and messages delivered via WhatsApp, phone calls, social media DMs, email (BEC), and SMS, often using spoofed caller IDs. Victims are als |
| How they gain your trust | Trust is established through AI voice/video deepfakes that convincingly impersonate trusted figures—family members, company executives (CEO/CFO), bank officials, or government authorities—leveraging a |
| How they take your money | Most commonly observed rails are UPI and QR-code transfers, IMPS/bank wire transfers to mule or offshore accounts, and crypto payments; OTP extraction |
| Who they target | Documented targets include urban professionals, finance/payroll staff and small-business employees (for BEC and executive-impersonation transfers), the elderly (via distress-call vishing), and job see |
- Authority bias (impersonating executives, police, bank/government officials)
- Urgency and panic (emergencies, arrests, frozen accounts, digital arrest threats)
- Familiarity/emotional trust (cloned voices of loved ones and known contacts)
- Unexpected urgent request for money or OTP framed as an emergency, arrest, or account suspension
- Voice or video call from a 'known' person or executive pressuring immediate confidential transfers
- Payment demanded via UPI/QR code, crypto, or wire to unfamiliar accounts under time pressure
- Links to 'verify identity' or login on portals reached via ads, DMs, or emails (cloned websites)
- Deepfake indicators: slightly off video/audio sync, refusal to verify via a known secondary channel or shared secret
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