A dangerous case of AI misuse has surfaced, with deepfake videos of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman going viral on social media. In these clips, the minister appears to promote a fraudulent investment platform called Quantum AI, encouraging people to invest money with promises of extraordinarily high returns. Authorities have confirmed these videos are fake, warning citizens not to fall into the trap.
How the Scam Works
The deepfake clips show Sitharaman endorsing a scheme claiming that a starting investment of ₹21,000 can generate ₹60,000 in daily returns, with potential monthly earnings between ₹10–20 lakh. These claims are entirely fabricated. The government has made no such announcement, and no such scheme exists.
According to PIB Fact Check and other official agencies, the videos have been created using AI tools to mislead viewers. In some versions, even opposition leader Rahul Gandhi is shown questioning the government about the so-called scheme — another fabricated element designed to add credibility to the scam.
Why Deepfakes Are Dangerous
Deepfake technology allows scammers to manipulate video and audio, creating realistic-looking clips of celebrities, politicians, or other public figures. By exploiting trust in these personalities, fraudsters trick viewers into investing money in fake platforms.
Experts warn that such scams can cause massive financial losses as unsuspecting users invest their life savings, believing the endorsements to be genuine.
How to Detect a Deepfake Video
There are several ways to spot deepfakes before falling victim:
- Lip-sync issues: The voice and lip movements often don’t match.
- Unnatural expressions: The face may look stiff or robotic, and skin tone between the face and body may differ.
- Odd voice quality: The audio may sound mechanical or lack natural emotional tones.
- Frame-by-frame review: Watching the video slowly can reveal inconsistencies.
- Check the source: Verify who shared the clip and whether credible news outlets have reported on it.
The Bottom Line
The viral videos of Nirmala Sitharaman promoting Quantum AI are deepfake scams designed to mislead people into fraudulent investments. The government has not launched any such scheme. Citizens are urged to remain alert, fact-check suspicious content, and avoid investing in platforms promoted through such misleading videos.
