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India’s digital space is witnessing a disturbing rise in tech-enabled frauds. In a new and alarming trend, online scammers are now using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create deepfake videos of top bank officials and celebrities to promote fake investment schemes. The State Bank of India (SBI) has warned its customers about these deceptive practices, urging them to remain cautious and not fall prey to such scams.

🚨 What Is the Deepfake Scam All About?

SBI has raised the red flag regarding viral videos on social media where the faces and voices of its senior executives are manipulated to appear as though they are endorsing investment plans. These fake schemes promise unusually high returns, luring unsuspecting users to invest money.

The bank clarified in an official statement:

"SBI and its officials are not associated with any such investment schemes promising unrealistic returns. Customers are advised to avoid engaging with or trusting these deceptive videos."

🎭 How Scammers Use Deepfake Technology

Fraudsters are now leveraging AI tools such as voice cloning and video morphing to impersonate respected personalities. They create ultra-realistic videos that are difficult for the average viewer to identify as fake. These videos are then circulated on platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp, and Facebook, often accompanied by fake news headlines or testimonials.

ALERT - PUBLIC CAUTION NOTICE pic.twitter.com/uLUzNrGBua

— State Bank of India (@TheOfficialSBI) April 15, 2025

📢 Key Tips to Spot a Deepfake Video:

1. Unnatural Facial Movements: Watch for odd blinking patterns or poor lip-syncing.

2. Voice Inconsistencies: If the voice sounds robotic or doesn’t match the speaker’s tone, it's a red flag.

3. Lighting and Shadows: Look for mismatched lighting or strange reflections in the background.

4. Edge Blur and Glitches: Blurry outlines and jerky transitions could signal video tampering.

5. Verify the Source: Always cross-check with official websites or reliable news portals before trusting any video.

6. Use Deepfake Detection Tools: Tools like Deepware Scanner or Hive AI can help spot manipulated media.

🛡️ SBI’s Advice to Customers

The bank emphasized that it does not promote or guarantee high-return schemes via social media videos. It asked customers to only trust information from SBI’s official communication channels such as its website, verified social handles, or branch advisories.

With financial scams becoming more sophisticated, vigilance is key. Always think twice before sharing your financial information online or making any payments based on a video ad.