A 63-year-old man from Kerala has allegedly lost ₹1.41 crore in an online investment fraud after being influenced by a fake Facebook video featuring Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The video purportedly showed the minister promoting an online trading platform and promising attractive investment returns. Believing the endorsement was genuine, the victim followed instructions provided by the fraudsters and transferred money to multiple bank accounts.
The Kozhikode Rural Cyber Crime Police registered a case on November 14, 2026, following a complaint from Abdurahiman P, a resident of Nochad in Naduvannur. According to police, the alleged fraud continued for more than a year, between June 6, 2025, and November 4, 2026. The victim made 30 separate transactions from two bank accounts, but neither the promised profits nor his original investment was returned.
How the Fake Nirmala Sitharaman Video Led to the ₹1.41 Crore Fraud
According to the police complaint, the victim came across a video on Facebook that purportedly featured Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman discussing an online trading opportunity.
The video allegedly presented the investment platform as a way to earn attractive returns through online trading. The use of a well-known public figure was intended to make the opportunity appear credible and encourage viewers to invest.
After watching the video, the man clicked on an accompanying link and followed instructions provided by the people operating the platform.
Police said the victim subsequently transferred money to several bank accounts controlled by the accused.
The alleged transactions took place over approximately 17 months, making this a prolonged investment scam rather than a single payment incident.
When the platform failed to return the money or provide the promised profits, the victim approached the police.
Victim Transferred Money in 30 Separate Transactions
The scale of the alleged fraud is reflected in the number of transfers made during the period.
According to the complaint, the 63-year-old transferred a combined ₹1.41 crore through 30 transactions from two bank accounts.
| Case detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim’s age | 63 years |
| Location | Nochad, Naduvannur, Kozhikode district |
| Total alleged loss | ₹1.41 crore |
| Number of transactions | 30 |
| First reported transaction date | June 6, 2025 |
| Last reported transaction date | November 4, 2026 |
| Platform used to attract victim | |
| Police station | Kozhikode Rural Cyber Crime Police |
Police said the victim delayed reporting the incident because he expected to recover the money. The delay meant the alleged fraud continued for an extended period before a formal complaint was registered.
The accused have not yet been identified publicly.
Police Register Case Under BNS and IT Act
Following the complaint, Kozhikode Rural Cyber Crime Police registered a case under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 66D of the Information Technology Act.
Section 318(4) of the BNS deals with cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property. Section 66D of the IT Act addresses cheating by personation using a computer resource or communication device.
Investigators are attempting to trace the people behind the operation by examining the bank accounts that received the money and the telephone calls received by the complainant.
The investigation will also need to establish how the fraudulent platform operated, who controlled the recipient accounts and whether the money was transferred through additional accounts.
Police have not announced any arrests or confirmed recovery of the ₹1.41 crore at the time of reporting.
PIB Had Already Warned About Fake Sitharaman Investment Videos
The Kerala case follows earlier warnings from the government’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check unit about manipulated videos falsely showing Nirmala Sitharaman endorsing investment schemes.
On September 16, 2026, PIB Fact Check flagged a Facebook advertisement featuring an AI-generated video of the Finance Minister.
The advertisement falsely promoted an investment scheme that claimed users could earn ₹90,000 per day after making an initial investment of just ₹22,000.
PIB clarified that the video had been created using artificial intelligence and that neither Sitharaman nor the Government of India had endorsed, authorised or promoted the investment platform.
The warning highlighted how fraudsters use AI-generated videos, fabricated endorsements and unrealistic income promises to attract people into fraudulent schemes.
The latest case demonstrates how such impersonation tactics can be used to persuade victims to transfer substantial amounts of money.
Why AI-Generated Investment Endorsements Are Difficult to Detect
Deepfake technology allows scammers to manipulate photographs, videos and audio recordings to make it appear that public figures are promoting products or services they have never endorsed.
Fraudsters can take genuine footage of a politician, business leader or celebrity and combine it with artificially generated audio or altered lip movements.
This can create videos that appear convincing to viewers who encounter them through social media advertisements or shared posts.
The Deepfakes Analysis Unit has previously examined a fabricated video featuring Nirmala Sitharaman promoting an investment platform. Its investigation found that the video used authentic visuals with AI-generated audio to create a false endorsement.
Such material can be particularly effective in financial scams because the appearance of an endorsement from a government official may create a misleading impression of legitimacy.
However, a video featuring a familiar face is not proof that the person supports the advertised investment.
Warning Signs of Fake Investment Platforms
The case highlights several warning signs that investors should consider before transferring money to an online trading platform.
Unrealistic return promises: Claims of unusually high or guaranteed daily profits should be treated with caution. Legitimate market investments involve risk and cannot guarantee extraordinary returns.
Celebrity or government endorsements: Fraudsters frequently use the images and voices of ministers, celebrities and business leaders without permission. An endorsement should be verified through the person’s official channels.
Links shared through social media advertisements: Investors should avoid registering or transferring money through unfamiliar links shared in advertisements, private messages or unsolicited calls.
Transfers to unrelated bank accounts: Requests to deposit investment money into multiple personal or unfamiliar accounts are a significant warning sign.
Pressure to invest more money: Fraudulent platforms may initially display fabricated profits before demanding additional deposits to release withdrawals or supposed earnings.
Investors should independently verify the identity and regulatory status of a financial service provider before committing money.
What Victims of Online Investment Fraud Should Do
People who suspect they have been targeted by an online investment scam should report it immediately rather than waiting for the platform to return their money.
In India, financial cyber fraud can be reported through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or by calling the national cybercrime helpline at 1930.
Victims should preserve transaction receipts, bank statements, screenshots, phone numbers, website addresses and communication records. They should also contact their bank immediately to report the transfers and request assistance in tracing or freezing the recipient accounts.
Quick reporting can help authorities and banks take action while funds are still traceable. However, recovery is not guaranteed, particularly when money has moved through multiple accounts.
The Bigger Picture
The ₹1.41 crore Kerala fraud illustrates the growing financial risks associated with AI-assisted impersonation and social media investment advertisements.
Deepfake technology is making it easier for scammers to manufacture convincing endorsements involving public figures. These videos can be distributed through social media platforms, where viewers may encounter them without actively searching for investment opportunities.
The case also highlights the importance of verifying financial claims independently. A video featuring a government minister does not establish that an investment scheme is legitimate, and promises of unusually high returns should never replace proper due diligence.
For social media platforms, the incident raises further questions about how fraudulent financial advertisements are detected, reviewed and removed before they reach potential victims.
Looking Ahead
Kozhikode Rural Cyber Crime Police are investigating the transactions and attempting to identify the people behind the alleged operation. The investigation will focus on tracing the recipient bank accounts, examining communications with the victim and determining whether the money can be recovered. No arrests or confirmed recoveries have been announced in the initial report.
The case is another reminder that AI-generated videos can be used to make fraudulent investment schemes appear trustworthy. Investors should verify endorsements through official sources, check the credentials of financial platforms and avoid transferring money based solely on social media advertisements. When fraud is suspected, reporting it immediately through the bank and India’s cybercrime reporting channels can improve the chances of timely intervention.
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