Priyanka Gandhi Targeted by AI Deepfake Scam Promoting Fake Investment Offers

Priyanka Gandhi’s Office Warns of AI Deepfake Investment Scam Using Her Face and Voice

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s office has issued a warning about fraudulent videos allegedly using artificial intelligence to imitate her face and voice to promote fake investment opportunities. The alert comes amid growing concerns over AI-enabled financial scams in India, with fraudsters increasingly using the identities of politicians, celebrities, business leaders and other public figures to make fraudulent investment offers appear genuine.

Priyanka Gandhi’s Office Issues Social Media Alert Priyanka Gandhi’s office shared a warning on Instagram after AI-generated videos allegedly featuring the Congress leader began circulating on social media and messaging platforms. According to the warning, the videos use AI-generated images and voice cloning to make it appear as though Priyanka Gandhi is asking people to invest money in certain schemes. “Fake videos using AI-generated images and voice of Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra ji are circulating on WhatsApp, Instagram and other social media platforms asking people to invest money. These are scams. Please do not click or invest,” her office said. The warning urged users not to interact with the videos or follow investment links shared through such posts. The use of a familiar public figure’s face or voice can make fraudulent investment offers appear more trustworthy. However, the presence of a celebrity or politician in a video does not by itself establish that the endorsement is genuine. AI Deepfake Investment Scams Raise Concern

The warning comes amid several reported cases in India involving deepfakes and fraudulent investment schemes. In August 2026, Pune Cyber Police reportedly registered a case after a 38-year-old nurse allegedly lost more than ₹4 lakh in an investment scam promoted through a deepfake video featuring late industrialist Ratan Tata. According to reports, the victim encountered the video on Instagram before being directed towards the purported investment platform. In another reported case, a Pune businessman allegedly lost around ₹1.07 crore after coming across an AI-generated video that appeared to show Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman promoting an investment opportunity. Investigators reportedly found that the victim was shown fabricated trading returns before making multiple transfers. Similar tactics have also reportedly been used outside India. In Karnataka, more than 200 people were reportedly targeted through an AI-generated video appearing to feature former US President Donald Trump promoting a purported hotel investment scheme.

How Deepfake Investment Scams Typically Work

Such scams often begin with a social media advertisement, video or message featuring a well-known personality. Users may then be directed to a website, messaging group or trading platform. Fraudsters can initially display small profits or fabricated account balances to convince victims that the platform is genuine. After gaining the victim’s trust, they may encourage larger deposits or demand additional payments. Regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), have warned investors about fake trading applications, fraudulent investment schemes and social-media scams involving false promises of high returns. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre has also raised concerns about fraudulent investment advertisements that misuse celebrity images and AI-generated content.

How To Protect Yourself From AI Deepfake Scams

Consumers should not make investment decisions simply because a video appears to show a celebrity, politician or business leader promoting a particular product or scheme. Before investing, users should independently verify the information through the public figure’s verified social-media accounts or official website. Investment opportunities promising guaranteed or unusually high returns should also be treated with caution. People should avoid clicking suspicious investment links shared through social media and should independently visit the official website of the financial institution or investment platform. For securities-related investments, investors should verify whether the intermediary is registered with SEBI through its official resources. Users should also avoid installing unknown trading applications or APK files and should never share OTPs, passwords, banking credentials or card information with unknown individuals claiming to be investment advisers. Requests to transfer money urgently, join private WhatsApp or Telegram groups, or pay additional fees to withdraw supposed profits are major warning signs. When encountering a suspected deepfake video, users should compare the claim with information published through the public figure’s verified accounts and credible news organisations before taking any action.