Don’t Fall Prey to Deepfake Scams: 5 Tips to Keep Your Money Safe!

Former Coal India executive Radhakrishan P S fell victim to a deepfake scam, losing Rs. 40000. This incident highlights the alarming progress cybercriminals have made using AI tools. It serves as a reminder that anyone could be targeted, emphasizing the importance of remaining vigilant. It is crucial to understand what occurred and learn how to safeguard oneself.

On July 9, Radhakrishan received WhatsApp messages and a video call from an unknown number. The person claimed to be Venu Kumar, a friend of 40 years from Radhakrishan’s Coal India days. The conversation seemed real, with shared memories and photos. The fake friend urgently asked for Rs. 40,000 for his sister’s surgery.

Despite initial doubts, Radhakrishan transferred the money through Google Pay, trusting his longtime friend. However, when the scammer demanded Rs. 35,000 more, Radhakrishan realized something was wrong. He called the real Venu Kumar to confirm the scam and reported it to the police, Indian Express reported.

After a four-month investigation, the police arrested one suspect, Shaik Murtuzamiya Hayat Bhai from Gujarat. The main culprit, Kaushal Shah from Ahmedabad, is still absconding. This case is the first case of cybercrime using deep forgery technology to manipulate facial appearance during a scam.

Superintendent of Police Rajpal Meena explained that Kaushal used deep fake technology to pose as Radhakrishan’s friend during a video call, tricking him into transferring funds. The money trail revealed that the funds went to Ahmedabad and then to a gambling firm where Kaushal gambled. The purpose of the complicated route was to confuse the police and the intention was to return the money as fake gambling winnings.

Tips to protect yourself from such scary deep fake scams:

1. Make your social media profiles private and be careful about sharing too much personal information – including photos, audio and video.

2. Be careful when answering calls from unknown numbers; scammers can use legitimate numbers to trick you.

3. Before you act, take a moment to reach out directly to your loved one to confirm and validate the matter.

4. Report the scam to the police immediately.

5. If you accidentally shared sensitive information, contact financial institutions to secure new accounts and cards. Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.