Summary of this article
PIB Fact Check debunked fake AI video featuring Nirmala Sitharaman promoting investment scheme.
Scam video falsely promised high monthly returns with guaranteed financial security.
Citizens advised verifying investment claims before trusting online money-making opportunities.
The Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check unit has debunked as fake a video showing Union Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman promoting an investment scheme that has been circulating online for a while now. The PIB Fact Check unit has said the video featuring Sitharaman has been digitally altered and is not genuine. The video promotes an investment scheme promising an assured income of Rs 2.50 lakh per month.
The video claims that users could earn between Rs 2.50 lakh and Rs 10 lakh per month by investing Rs 22,000. It also promised an initial payout of Rs 80,000 on the same day after registration through a personal link shared in the video. The video further claims that the invested money was completely protected and also assured the safety of users’ funds.
The PIB Fact Check unit said in a note: “This video is Fake and AI-generated. Neither the Finance Minister nor the Government of India has endorsed any such investment platform or scheme.”
How Fake Investment Claim Works
The video uses a familiar modus operandi of creating trust by using the identity of a senior government figure and presenting an investment opportunity with guaranteed returns. It also promises high returns and full assurance of security of the invested funds.
Scammers often make such videos of public figures using content altered or produced by artificial intelligence (AI) to look genuine and disseminate false information online.
How To Protect Yourself From Such Investment Scams
People should verify investment-related claims through official sources before making any financial decisions. Claims offering guaranteed returns or unusually high income from small investments should be carefully checked, especially when they involve public figures or government-related identities.
PIB Fact Check has advised people to remain cautious of fraudsters attempting to lure citizens into losing their money through such easy money scams. It has also urged users to flag any suspicious content related to the Government of India through PIB Fact Check through WhatsApp at +91 8799711259 or email at factcheck@pib.gov.in.
