An 80-year-old man battling cancer was tragically duped of nearly ₹82 lakh using a sophisticated deep fake video. The fabricated footage featured union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman promoting fraudulent investment schemes. This cruel deception ultimately proved too much for the elderly victim, who passed away shortly after discovering the truth.
The heartbreaking case unfolded in Mumbai’s Chembur neighborhood, where the couple had lived for 45 years. The retired man and his 76-year-old wife depended entirely on their life savings for survival. Their son had moved to the United Kingdom with his wife, visiting only occasionally.
The nightmare began in July when cyber criminals first contacted the elderly man. They cleverly pitched an investment opportunity through a fake trading platform. To establish credibility, they shared a deep fake video showing the finance minister endorsing their scheme.
This deep fake technology made the scam appear legitimate and convincing. The fabricated video showed Sitharaman promising high returns from share market investments. The criminals then provided a link directing the victim to their fraudulent platform.
Initially, the scheme appeared successful and genuine. The platform displayed impressive profits and even permitted small withdrawals. This classic scam tactic built trust and encouraged larger investments.
From July through early September, the victim transferred approximately ₹82 lakh. He sent these funds to multiple bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. The sophisticated deep fake presentation had completely convinced him.
The truth emerged in October when the victim’s son visited from the UK. During their conversation, the elderly man mentioned his recent investments. The son immediately recognized the warning signs of fraud.
The family attempted to withdraw the invested money but failed completely. They had to break the devastating news to the elderly man. He learned he had lost nearly all of their life savings.
The shock proved too much for the cancer-stricken octogenarian. Before the family could even file a police complaint, he passed away on October 8. The fraud had literally stolen his will to live.
The victim’s wife and son subsequently filed an official police complaint. Authorities registered an FIR under multiple legal sections. The case involves both cheating and criminal conspiracy charges.
This tragic incident highlights the dangerous evolution of cybercrime. Criminals now use advanced deep fake technology to target vulnerable individuals. The emotional and financial damage can be devastating.
The sophisticated deep fake video represented a new low in financial fraud. Using a respected minister’s likeness added false credibility to the scheme. This technology makes scams increasingly difficult to detect.
Elderly and vulnerable populations remain particularly at risk. Their limited digital literacy makes them easy targets for such sophisticated schemes. This case should serve as a stark warning to families everywhere.
Authorities continue investigating this heartbreaking case. They’re pursuing charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Information Technology Act. The hunt for the perpetrators continues.
The family’s tragedy underscores the urgent need for digital awareness. As technology advances, so do the methods of criminals. This deep fake incident represents just the beginning of this disturbing trend.