Wednesday, 19 August 2026 MUMBAI EDITION LIVE

Mumbai Woman Loses Rs 12 Lakh to Deepfake Video Scam

A Mumbai woman falls prey to a deepfake video scam, losing Rs 12 lakh. The scam used a fake video of a prominent politician.

Mumbai Alert · City Desk
Mumbai Alert · City Desk
City Desk · Mumbai Alert News · Wed, 19 August 2026 at 09:05 pm
Mumbai Woman Loses Rs 12 Lakh to Deepfake Video Scam

A woman from Mumbai has lost Rs 12 lakh to a deepfake video scam. The scam involved a fake video of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, also known as Vijay, promising aid to the needy. The woman, who has not been named, was convinced by the scammer that the video was genuine and that she would receive financial assistance.

The scammer used a deepfake video, which is a type of artificial intelligence-generated video that can mimic the voice and appearance of a real person. In this case, the scammer created a video that appeared to show Chief Minister Vijay promising to provide financial aid to those in need. The woman was contacted by the scammer, who claimed to be a representative of the Chief Minister's office.

The woman was asked to pay Rs 12 lakh as a processing fee to receive the aid. She paid the amount, but soon realized that she had been scammed. The Mumbai police have launched an investigation into the matter and are working to track down the scammer.

This incident highlights the growing threat of deepfake scams, which can be used to trick people into parting with their money. The use of artificial intelligence to create fake videos and audio recordings has made it easier for scammers to create convincing fake content.

The Mumbai police have warned people to be cautious when receiving messages or videos that appear to be from prominent politicians or government officials. They have also advised people to verify the authenticity of such messages before taking any action.

The incident has also raised concerns about the vulnerability of people to deepfake scams. The woman who lost Rs 12 lakh is not the only victim of such scams, and there are likely many more people who have been tricked into parting with their money.

The Tamil Nadu government has also issued a statement warning people about the scam. They have stated that Chief Minister Vijay has not made any such promises of aid, and that people should be cautious when receiving messages or videos that appear to be from him.

The Mumbai police are working to raise awareness about the threat of deepfake scams and to educate people on how to protect themselves. They have advised people to be cautious when receiving messages or videos that appear to be from prominent politicians or government officials, and to verify the authenticity of such messages before taking any action.

In conclusion, the incident of the Mumbai woman losing Rs 12 lakh to a deepfake video scam is a wake-up call for people to be cautious when receiving messages or videos that appear to be from prominent politicians or government officials. It highlights the growing threat of deepfake scams and the need for people to be aware of the risks and to take steps to protect themselves.

Frequently asked questions

What is a deepfake video?

A deepfake video is a type of artificial intelligence-generated video that can mimic the voice and appearance of a real person.

How can I protect myself from deepfake scams?

You can protect yourself by verifying the authenticity of messages or videos that appear to be from prominent politicians or government officials, and being cautious when receiving such messages.

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