When Trust Crumbles: Deepfake Scams and the Cost of Digital Ignorance




This morning, while having tea, I read a shocking story from Bengaluru. A 57-year-old woman lost a staggering ₹3.75 crore after watching what appeared to be a genuine video of Sadhguru promoting a stock trading platform. But it wasn’t real—it was a deepfake. Scammers used the fake video to lure her into what looked like a promising investment. She transferred huge sums of money, expecting profit. Instead, she lost it all.

Related news
Fooled by deepfake video, Bengaluru woman loses Rs 3.7 crore to fraudsters
The Times of India
Fooled by deepfake video, Bengaluru woman loses Rs 3.7 crore to fraudsters
Today

What Really Happened

The woman saw a video that looked real. It seemed like her trusted spiritual guru was talking about investing in a platform named Mirrox. Impressed, she clicked a link and got added to a WhatsApp group filled with fake testimonials. The scammers guided her through trading via Zoom, promising massive returns. But when she tried to withdraw, they demanded more money for “taxes” and never let her access the cash again.
The Times of India

What It Taught Me

This got me thinking: technology is amazing—until it’s weaponized. Deepfake AI makes it easy to pretend, to fabricate trust. And in a world where we already see memes, ads, and fake news nonstop, these fakes are becoming scarier. Imagine how hard it is to tell real from fake when someone you respect appears in a convincing video.

What We Must Do

  1. Pause before trusting: Don’t act impulsively when an ad shows up—even if it features someone famous.

  2. Check the source: Contact genuine platforms, not links sent through groups.

  3. Teach older folks: Many elders aren’t fully aware of tech tricks. We must guide them.

  4. Promote Tech Awareness: People need to understand deepfakes, not just headlines.

Key Takeaways

  • Deepfake videos can trick even experienced and cautious individuals.

  • Trust earned from a face or voice can be easily copied with AI.

  • Verification and skepticism are critical in a digital-first world.

  • Tech-savviness and awareness are as essential as financial knowledge.

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