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Scam alert · · India

Deepfake videos of politicians promoting fake "government schemes"

I4C has flagged social-media ads using AI-generated videos of political leaders announcing cash-benefit schemes that lead to UPI "registration fee" pages.

The ad shows a well-known leader announcing a new benefit, with a link to "register". The page asks for Aadhaar, bank details and a small UPI fee. There is no scheme. The videos are generated from real speeches with altered audio.

Red flags

  • A government scheme that requires a UPI payment to register
  • A link in a social-media ad rather than a .gov.in site
  • Audio that does not quite match lip movement; unusual phrasing for the speaker

If you already responded

  1. If you paid, call 1930 and file on cybercrime.gov.in
  2. If you entered Aadhaar or bank details, lock Aadhaar biometrics on uidai.gov.in and watch your account
  3. Report the ad on the platform as a scam and the number on Sanchar Saathi
Full reporting guide

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