The government has issued a warning after a digitally manipulated video falsely featuring Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman started circulating online promoting fraudulent investment schemes claiming unrealistic returns.
In a social media post, PIB Fact Check said the video claims that the “official government program” can generate monthly profits of up to Rs 1.6 million with an initial investment of Rs 22,000. The fact-finding wing asserted that the video is fake and AI-generated and that neither the Finance Minister nor the Government of India supports such platforms or schemes.
PIB warned the public not to click on links associated with these claims, warning that they may be phishing attempts aimed at stealing personal or financial information. The clarification also emphasized that government-backed financial schemes will never be promoted through unofficial videos or social media links that promise guaranteed or unusually high returns.
Officials reiterated that misinformation using deepfakes and AI-generated content is becoming increasingly common, particularly in financial scams that exploit the names and images of senior officials to gain credibility.
The government urges the public to verify information through official channels and to remain wary of online investment scams that promise quick or guaranteed profits.
