AI impersonation scam steals Rs 1.5 crore

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A social media influencer was allegedly cheated of approximately ₹1.5 crore after an assistant used artificial intelligence tools to impersonate them and deceive followers, according to the report. The accused reportedly had access to the influencer’s professional ecosystem and leveraged that familiarity to create AI-generated content that closely mimicked the influencer’s communication style.

Followers were allegedly misled into believing the outreach and content were authentic, leading to financial transfers. A case has been registered, and authorities are investigating digital records and financial transactions linked to the fraud.

The incident comes amid a sharp rise in AI-enabled scams globally. Generative AI tools now allow users to clone voices, generate realistic images, and draft messages that replicate an individual’s tone with high accuracy. Cybersecurity firms worldwide have reported increasing cases of deepfake-assisted fraud, including executive impersonation scams and romance frauds using synthetic media.

In India, law enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned about the growing use of AI for online deception, particularly as digital payments and creator-led commerce expand. The combination of large follower bases, direct payment channels, and high-trust communities makes influencers particularly vulnerable to impersonation schemes.

Authorities are continuing their probe to determine the full scope of the fraud and identify additional digital evidence tied to the alleged misuse of AI tools.