Deepfakes generated by AI are now becoming increasingly difficult to speak up. The advanced features of AI have made it difficult for Rayman to distinguish between Deepfark and the original. A 57-year-old retired woman from Bengaluru lost Rs 3.75 to a con man who used AI-generated deepfake videos. This video belongs to spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev and was used as a deep fake.
Deepfake is a combination of the terms “deep learning” and “fake.” This refers to artificial intelligence software that overlays digital composites on existing video or audio files. Deepfakes are generated using machine learning models that use neural networks to manipulate images and videos.
Scammed women were unaware of the deepfake technology generated by AI, making it easier for scammers. She says the video looked like a real Sadgur video posted on social media platforms. Additionally, she says similar videos were posted regularly between February 25th and April 23rd.
The police complaint she filed explains how she was scammed using the Sadhguru Ai Deepfake video. “I saw a video of Sadhguru saying he was doing business with the company. So if I provide a link below and click on it and enter my name, email and phone number for $250, my finances will be greatly improved.”
After she followed the instructions, the woman was contacted by someone who called himself Waylead B. The scammer added women to the WhatsApp group, which operates through multiple UK-based phone numbers and has around 100 members. She was then directed to various websites and instructed to download the Mirrox Stock Trading app.
What strategies did the scammer use?
Waleed conducted a trading tutorial via Zoom, and later introduced another accomplice, Michael C, as an alternative instructor. According to FIR, fraudsters adopted psychological tactics, and group members regularly shared screenshots of assumed account credits to build trust and legitimacy.
Convinced of these strategies, women began to transfer money to bank accounts offered by scammers. By April 23, she had transferred the entire Rs 3.75 in multiple transactions, with the fake platform showing impressive returns on investments.
When did she realize she was being scammed?
The woman only realized she had been fooled when she tried to withdraw her interests. The scammers demanded additional payments to process fees and taxes, causing suspicion. When she refused to pay these extra fees, the con man stopped communicating all.
Ever since the woman filed a complaint Tuesday almost five months after the fraud ended, officers said it was difficult to recover lost money. Officials added that authorities are coordinating with the bank to freeze fraudster accounts.
Other celebrities' enlightenment?
In June this year, Sadhguru Vasudev Jaggi and his Isha Foundation approached the Delhi High Court for misuse of his identity through deepfakes generated by AI. In January 2024, actor Rashmika Mandanna's Deepfake Video went viral and police arrested Andhra Pradesh engineer Emani Naveen. Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai and Infosys Foundation Chairman Sudha Murty are some of the other prominent personalities in which Narayana Murthy's wife Sudha Murty is used in Cybercriminals.
