Deepfake video of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman used to dupe 71-year-old Hyderabad-based doctor of over ₹20 lakh
A 71-year-old retired doctor from Hyderabad was duped of over ₹20 lakh in an online investment scam involving an AI-generated video and a fraudulent trading platform. Following a complaint, the cybercrime wing of the Hyderabad police booked a case and initiated a probe.
The scam began on March 27, 2025, when the victim came across a promotional advertisement online featuring an AI-generated video of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman endorsing a supposed investment opportunity. The video directed viewers to a trading website via a hyperlink embedded in the description.
Personal documents submitted
After clicking on the link, the victim was contacted on WhatsApp by an individual using a UK-based number. Claiming to represent the company Fin Bridge Capital, the fraudster instructed her to submit personal documents including her Aadhaar card, PAN card, and banking details under the pretext of registration.
Fabricated profits
The victim was then introduced to another individual posing as a financial advisor, who encouraged her to begin with a modest investment of ₹20,000. She was soon shown fabricated profits calculated in dollars, which persuaded her to make further deposits. Trusting the scheme, the doctor continued investing until her total contribution reached ₹20,13,305.
The fraudsters claimed her account had generated a profit of $79,850, allegedly stored in a platform called 'Bitcoin Block'. However, when she attempted to withdraw the returns, she was asked to pay additional charges. It was only at this point that she realised she had been defrauded. The case is under investigation.
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