Police in Bengaluru have initiated a formal investigation into a deepfake video that is being widely shared on social media platforms. The fabricated footage dishonestly portrays President Droupadi Murmu advising people to invest in government financial projects with promises of high returns.
FIR Registered Following SMMC Complaint
Based on a formal complaint filed by D Rakesh, a sub-inspector with the Social Media Monitoring Cell (SMMC), the Mahalakshmipuram police station registered a First Information Report (FIR). Rakesh stated that he first encountered the deceptive video on Facebook. In the clip, President Murmu appears to be endorsing certain central government finance initiatives, urging viewers to click on a provided link to earn quick money from their homes.
AI Analysis Confirms Video Manipulation
Expressing immediate suspicion, the officer referred the video for a technical analysis. The deepfake analysis confirmed that the video was artificially created using AI tools. The complaint highlighted the significant risk that unsuspecting citizens, trusting the stature of the President, could be misled by the content. This could potentially lead to financial losses if individuals engage with the fraudulent link.
Police Action and Public Advisory
Law enforcement agencies are now actively working to trace the original source of the deepfake video. Concurrently, steps are being taken to alert the public about this fake content circulating online. Authorities are urging social media users to exercise extreme caution and verify the authenticity of any such financial advice videos, especially those featuring prominent public figures.
This incident underscores the growing challenge posed by AI-generated synthetic media and its potential for misuse in financial scams and spreading misinformation. The police investigation is ongoing.
