AI video scam in Karnataka

In a shocking revelation, an AI video scam in Karnataka has duped over 200 unsuspecting victims using a deepfake video of Donald Trump, luring them into a fake investment scheme.

This incident not only exposes the misuse of AI in financial scams but also sheds light on rising cybercrime cases in India, particularly in tech-driven cities like Bengaluru, Tumakuru, Mangaluru, and Haveri.

For SSC aspirants, understanding this case is crucial for upcoming current affairs, general awareness, and technology-related questions.

What Was the AI Video Scam in Karnataka?

The AI video scam Karnataka involved a deepfake video of former US President Donald Trump promoting an investment opportunity in Trump Hotel rentals.

The fraudsters used AI-generated videos to gain the trust of victims, making the scam look legitimate and promising high returns.
Victims were asked to:

• Pay a Rs 1,500 registration fee

• Download a mobile application

• Complete small work-from-home tasks like writing company profiles

While the app dashboard showed increasing "earnings," the money wasn’t real.

Eventually, the victims were asked to pay higher sums with promises of double returns and were later tricked into paying fake taxes to withdraw the money.

Cities Affected

The scam spread across

• Bengaluru

• Mangaluru

• Tumakuru

• Haveri (where over 15 people lost money)

This highlights a major cybersecurity concern and growing incidents of online scams using deepfake videos in Indian cities.

Police Investigation: Haveri Cybercrime Complaint

A detailed Haveri cybercrime complaint was filed by a 38-year-old advocate who lost nearly Rs 6 lakh between January and April 2025. Police have confirmed that the scammers used

• AI tools to create deepfake videos

• A mobile app to simulate fake dashboards and earnings

• Social media platforms (YouTube Shorts) to advertise the scam

The case is now under investigation by Haveri Cybercrime Economics and Narcotics (CEN) Police.

How Did the Donald Trump Deepfake Scam Work?

• AI-Generated Trump Video: A deepfake video showed Donald Trump endorsing a hotel investment.

• App Download Prompt: The video link led users to a fake app.

• Fake Earnings Shown: Users earned small amounts initially to build trust.

• High Investment Demands: Eventually asked to invest thousands of rupees.

• Fake Tax Demands: Victims were told to pay withdrawal taxes but never received funds.

Why SSC Aspirants Must Know This

This topic is highly relevant for SSC exams under:

• Current Affairs (CA)

• Science & Technology

• Security & Cyber Laws

General Knowledge

Key takeaway: With the rise in AI misuse in financial scams, exam bodies are likely to frame questions around

• Deepfake technology

• Cybercrime in Bengaluru 2025

• Government measures to counter digital fraud

Government and Legal Outlook

In light of the AI video scam in Karnataka, cybersecurity agencies are advising:

• Increased awareness campaigns

• Strict monitoring of work-from-home fraud India

• Enhanced laws around AI and deepfake regulations

India is also considering stricter enforcement under the Information Technology Act and Cybersecurity Guidelines 2025.

Preventive Measures for Citizens

To avoid falling for such scams:

• Never trust investment offers from unknown sources

• Avoid downloading apps from unverified links

• Be cautious of work-from-home offers promising high returns

• Report such incidents to the Cyber Crime Portal (cybercrime.gov.in)

Final Thoughts

The AI video scam in Karnataka is a textbook case of how AI technologies, when misused, can lead to massive fraud.

For SSC aspirants, this incident is a highly important current affairs topic that combines technology, law enforcement, cybercrime, and economics.

By understanding this case, aspirants will not only strengthen their knowledge base for exams but also become aware, responsible citizens in an increasingly digital world.