Home / Crime and Justice / AI Deepfake Syndicate Busted in Gujarat Financial Fraud
AI Deepfake Syndicate Busted in Gujarat Financial Fraud
29 Apr
Summary
- Four arrested for using AI and deepfakes to commit financial fraud.
- Syndicate bypassed biometric security to update victim Aadhaar details.
- Stolen identities were used to open bank accounts and secure loans.
In Gujarat, authorities have arrested four individuals for allegedly running a sophisticated criminal syndicate that utilized artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to commit financial fraud. The group is accused of obtaining victim data and generating deepfake videos, complete with "eye-blink" animations, using AI platforms. These videos were used to trick biometric verification systems, allowing unauthorized changes to mobile numbers associated with victims' Aadhaar profiles via Common Service Center (CSC) kits.
Following the fraudulent mobile number updates, the syndicate gained control over sensitive digital platforms and victim bank accounts. They exploited this access to receive One-Time Passwords (OTPs) directly, facilitating the opening of new accounts with banks like IDFC, Kotak Mahindra, and Jio Payments Bank. Furthermore, they applied for personal loans from multiple lending services, including RKBansal, True Credits, and EarlySalary, thereby burdening victims with significant debt.
The arrested individuals possess diverse educational backgrounds, ranging from high school completion to degrees in Business Administration and IT diplomas. They are currently in judicial custody as investigations continue for other potential accomplices. In response, Ahmedabad Police have initiated an Aadhaar security awareness campaign, advising citizens to lock their biometric data through the mAadhaar app or UIDAI website to prevent unauthorized authentication.
