AI Deepfake Video Impersonating Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Promoting Fake Aid Scheme Triggers Cyber Crime Probe

Chennai: The Cyber Crime Cell of the Tamil Nadu Crime Branch-CID has registered a case concerning the dissemination of AI-generated deep fake video with Hindi audio, falsely impersonating Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. The videos were shared on Facebook and other social media platforms with the aim of deceiving the public. The message in the videos urged individuals to contact a given WhatsApp number for financial assistance.

A special report was filed on September 1 to address the suspicious scam video, leading to the registration of a case in the Cyber Crime Cell, CBCID, and subsequent investigation. The agency promptly alerted Meta about the fake ID and requested the removal of the false video.

Preliminary investigations have uncovered numerous similar AI-generated deep fake videos portraying Chief Minister Vijay offering assistance. These videos allegedly originated from purportedly Pakistani Facebook IDs. The investigation is ongoing to identify the perpetrators and ensure the removal of false content from social media platforms as soon as possible.

The CB-CID advises the public not to respond to the phone numbers or join WhatsApp groups featured in these fraudulent videos, emphasizing that they are not genuine and fabricated by scamsters to defraud individuals.