The Press Information Bureau’s fact-checking arm, PIB Fact Check, has exposed a deceptive social media advertisement that misuses an AI-generated deepfake of Nirmala Sitharaman to promote a fraudulent investment scheme.
💰 Beware of Online Investment Scams❗️
A sponsored advertisement on Facebook is circulating a digitally altered, AI-generated video featuring Union Finance Minister @nsitharaman, falsely promoting an investment scheme that claims returns of up to ₹5.5 lakh per week for an… pic.twitter.com/oasXIdpTAN
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) April 3, 2026
Authorities clarified that the video, circulated as a sponsored post on Facebook, is entirely fabricated. It falsely portrays the Finance Minister endorsing an offer promising weekly returns of ₹5.5 lakh on an initial investment of ₹22,000.
The manipulated clip deploys misleading visual cues to appear credible. It rapidly flashes counterfeit logos of major financial institutions, including HDFC Bank, State Bank of India, and Reliance Industries. It also features a prominent ‘REGISTER’ prompt and dynamic profit counters designed to create urgency and induce impulsive decisions.
Officials warned that such schemes exploit advanced artificial intelligence tools to impersonate public figures and manipulate trust.
These fraudulent campaigns rely on exaggerated returns and psychological pressure to lure unsuspecting users.
The government has urged citizens to exercise caution. Verification of financial claims should be conducted exclusively through official government portals or authorised banking platforms.
Users must refrain from sharing sensitive banking information on unverified websites or links.
The incident underscores the growing misuse of AI in financial fraud. Authorities continue to monitor such activities and advise heightened digital vigilance to prevent monetary losses.
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