PIB Fact Check, the Government of India’s official unit for combating misinformation, has exposed an AI-generated deepfake video that falsely depicts Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman endorsing a fraudulent investment scheme promising extraordinary financial returns.
The fact-checking unit clarified that cyber fraudsters created the fabricated video to mislead the public into investing in a fake scheme that falsely claims investors can earn more than ₹20 lakh every month after making an initial deposit of ₹22,000.
⚠️ Do Not Fall for Easy Money!
🚨Fraudsters are running a digitally manipulated video of Union Finance Minister @nsitharaman promoting an investment platform and promising citizens a monthly income of over ₹20,00,000 in return for an initial investment of ₹22,000.… pic.twitter.com/ZcmlKaTbb2
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) July 2, 2026
Sharing the alert on X, PIB Fact Check categorically stated that the Finance Minister has never endorsed such an investment platform. It also confirmed that no government department or official platform has any association with the fraudulent offer.
The agency cautioned citizens against believing unrealistic promises of guaranteed high returns and urged them to avoid clicking on suspicious investment links circulating online.
PIB Fact Check advised the public to verify government-related information only through official channels before making any financial decisions. It warned that cybercriminals increasingly use artificial intelligence to create convincing deepfake videos that imitate public figures and deceive unsuspecting users.
The unit stressed that engaging with such fraudulent schemes could result in significant financial losses and identity theft. It encouraged citizens to remain vigilant and immediately report suspicious government-related digital content.
To strengthen public awareness and curb online fraud, PIB Fact Check asked users to report misleading material through its official WhatsApp helpline (+91 8799711259) or via its designated email channel for prompt verification.
The latest advisory reinforces the government’s continued efforts to counter AI-enabled misinformation, protect citizens from digital scams and promote responsible online verification before responding to investment offers.
Also Read: Can You Tell If An Image Is AI-Generated? PIB Shows You How
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