MHA warns of fake welfare scheme ads using deepfake videos of PM Modi, CMs and ministers
2026-10-19
Economic Times
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Fraudsters in India are using AI-generated deepfake videos of Prime Minister Modi, finance ministers, and chief ministers in deceptive social media ads to promote fake welfare schemes. Victims are tricked into making payments, resulting in financial losses. The Ministry of Home Affairs and cybercrime units have issued warnings about these AI-enabled scams.[AI generated]
Why's our monitor labelling this an incident or hazard?
The involvement of AI systems is explicit through the use of deepfake videos, which are AI-generated manipulated media. The use of these deepfakes directly facilitates financial fraud, causing harm to individuals' property (financial loss). The event details realized harm caused by the AI system's malicious use, fulfilling the criteria for an AI Incident. The harm is direct and materialized, not merely potential, and involves violations of property rights through fraud.[AI generated]