PIB Fact Check Flags Fake AI Video of Nirmala Sitharaman Promoting Investment Scheme

The Press Information Bureau’s fact-checking unit, PIB Fact Check, has cautioned the public against a fake investment advertisement circulating on social media that uses Union Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman’s imagery to promote a financial scheme promising unusually high returns.

According to PIB Fact Check, the video embedded in a Facebook advertisement claimed that users could earn up to Rs 5.50 lakh per week by investing Rs 22,000 through an online platform. The agency said the video was created using artificial intelligence (AI) and did not represent any real endorsement by the Union Minister of Finance or the Government of India (GoI).

In a post on X, PIB Fact Check said that neither Sitharaman nor the GoI had authorised, endorsed, or promoted such a scheme. It has also urged users to verify claims related to investments through official government channels before sharing personal or financial information online.

The advice comes at a time when India is witnessing a sharp rise in cyber frauds and AI-driven scams.

Rise In Cyber Fraud Cases

Data shared by the Ministry of Home Affairs in Parliament showed that citizens reported around 6.59 million cyber fraud complaints involving losses of about Rs 55,659 crore over the last five years through official cybercrime reporting platforms. In 2025 alone, over 2.40 million complaints were registered.

Separate data compiled by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) showed that Indians lost more than Rs 52,976 crore to online frauds over the last six years. Investment scams accounted for nearly 77 per cent of the reported losses in 2025.

These scams, including those associated with fake investment schemes, phishing attacks, digital arrest scams, and manipulated ads, are rapidly being spread on social media and messaging platforms.

Growing Threat Of Deepfakes

Deepfakes are also becoming a common and growing tool in online scams. According to a 2026 report published by the cybersecurity firm McAfee, Indians receive an average of 13 scam messages daily on their email, SMS and social media, and view around four deepfake videos per day. The report also indicated that 51 per cent of Indians surveyed had suffered financial loss from scams with an average loss of Rs 93,915.

The main objective of deep fake videos is to utilise AI to impersonate the mannerisms or voice of a public figure, celebrity or official to create authentic-looking fraudulent videos.

Advisory To Users

PIB Fact Check has asked users to remain cautious while interacting with online advertisements related to investments, trading platforms, or cryptocurrency schemes. It said suspicious or manipulated content should be reported immediately.

Authorities have advised users to cross-check investment claims through official government websites, financial regulators, or verified institutional sources before making financial decisions or sharing personal details online.

FAQs

1. What is a deepfake investment scam?
   It is a fraud where AI-generated videos or images are used to falsely promote investment schemes.

2. Why do scammers use public figures in fake videos?
   Fraudsters use familiar faces to make fake schemes appear trustworthy and attract more victims.

3. What are common signs of online investment fraud?
   Promises of guaranteed high returns, urgent payment requests, and unverified platforms are common warning signs.

4. How can people protect themselves from such scams?
   Users should verify claims through official sources and avoid sharing personal or banking details on suspicious platforms.